On June 16, 2022, the Faculty of Nursing, Mahidol University, organized the signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Faculty of Nursing, Mahidol University, and the Department of Older Persons, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. Associate Professor Dr. Yajai Sitthimongkol, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing Mahidol University, and Mrs. Suchitra Phittayanoraset, The Director-General of Department of Older Persons, were the representatives from both organizations to sign the MoU. The purpose of this memorandum is to jointly formulate guidelines and plans for personnel development in the fields of education, research, academic services, exchange of information and knowledge related to the work for the elderly. In addition, it is to jointly promote and support academic cooperation and continuously develop the potential of the elderly by bringing various knowledge related to the elderly operation aiming to expand the impact on the target group and push for concrete utilization to improve the quality of life of the elderly.

There were the administrative team of the Faculty of Nursing, Specialists in Older Persons, Director of Division of Older Persons Welfare Promotion and Rights Protection, Director of Ban Bang Khae Social Welfare Development Center for Older Persons, Director of Pathum Thani Social Welfare Development Center for Older Persons, Department Secretary, and Social Developer (Professional Level), witnessing the signing ceremony at Chanthana Nilwarangkun meeting room, 2nd floor, Faculty of Nursing Mahidol University, Salaya Campus.

Mrs. Suchitra Phittayanoraset, The Director-General of Department of Older Persons, said that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will bring greatest benefits because the Faculty of Nursing is an organization with very good quality, innovation and academic performance in the field of elderly care with standards that will make the elderly have a better quality of life. This cooperation will jointly help to develop the elderly; as well as to develop academic works and innovations.

Associate Professor Dr. Yajai Sitthimongkol, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing Mahidol University, stated that this collaboration is the starting point for the Faculty of Nursing and Department of Older Persons, which will widen the body of knowledge to the community and Thai society where the elderly needs comprehensive care to improve the quality of life and strengthen the stability of the life of the elderly.

In this event, there was a presentation of the “Model Community: Supporting the Aging Society in Urban Area” by Assistant Professor Benjamat Olanratmanee from Department of Pediatric Nursing, and Associate Professor Dr. Yupa Jewpattanakul from Department of Public Health Nursing, from the Faculty of Nursing, Mahidol University. The project was under the cooperation of multidisciplinary professionals including nurses, engineers, psychologists, anthropologists, architects, physical therapists, Thai traditional medicine with the support from community, the public sector, the private sector, and civil society, to prepare manpower and develop social health for entering an aging society.