June 7, 2021 – Khon Kaen Province officially opens the Covid-19 Vaccination Center of Srinagarind Hospital. At the event, Dr. Somsak Jungtrakoon, Khon Kaen Governor conveys the opening address, and Doctor Somchaichot Piyawatwela, M.D., Khon Kaen Public Health Doctor conveyed the report speech. Among key participants were Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University; Assoc. Prof. Apichat Jirawutthipong, M.D., Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University; and Assoc. Prof. Songsak Kiatchusakul, M.D., Director of Srinagarind Hospital. Over 100 news reporters and people coming for vaccination joined the event which took place at Khon Kaen Hall, 5^th Floor, Central Plaza Shopping Center, Khon Kaen.

Doctor Somchaichot Piyawatwela, M.D., Khon Kaen Public Health Doctor reported that Khon Kaen Province assigned Srinagarind Hospital of Khon Kaen University, following the national vaccination plan, to carry out the vaccination service for patients having one or more of the 7 chronic diseases, the elderly aged over 60 years, and the public, at Khon Kaen Hall, 5^th Floor, Central Plaza Shopping Center, Khon Kaen. The Province receives good cooperation from the network hospitals including Srinagarind Hospittal, Bangkok Hospital Khon Kaen, Psychiatric Hospital, Queen Sirikit Heart Center, and Khon Kaen University. President of Khon Kaen University is the chairperson for the Vaccination Steering Committee, with the Faculties of Engineering and Architecture supporting the management costs and designing the steps of operation. The cooperation helps streamline the Covid-19 vaccinating job of the Vaccination Center of Srinagarind Hospital, achieving 1,500 shots per day. In the future, when more vaccines are allocated to Khon Kaen, Srinagarind Hospital expects to serve 4,000 people daily.

“Over 8,900 people registered for Covid-19 vaccination with Srinagarind Hospital of the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University. For the first start, Khon Kaen Provincial Public Health Office allocated 4,200 doses to Srinagarind Hospital. The hospital will serve all who have registered during the second week when we receive more doses. The steps taken for the vaccination emphasize convenience and are not too complicated, according to the Covid-19 Vaccination slogan of Srinagarind Hospital “Juad I-Lee Der”. The steps are: 1) Register, 2) Measure BP and pulse, 3) Receive the shot, 4) Wait for observation, 5) Get the next appointment,” said Doctor Somchaichot.

Dr. Somsak Jungtrakoon, Khon Kaen Governor thanked Central Plaza for the convenient vaccination place. The province is truly worth being a Smart City and a medical Hub in the future. “The operation today is under the administration of the Provincial Public Health Doctor and Khon Kaen University President who facilitate everything to run smoothly. The Vaccination Center is also grateful to the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and the Directors of Srinagarind Hospital and the network hospitals for providing doctors, nurses, and public health officers. Thanks are extended to the private sector for the helping hands as well as the elderly who receive the vaccination today for the care they have given to us since we were young until today that we are able to serve the public.”

“It is a good chance to pay back to the elderly who have taken care of us until today. This includes those having one or more of the 7 chronic diseases. Vaccination will relieve the worries of the relatives and families. We are able now to eradicate the devil that is attacking our families and our society. The province takes this chance as the preparation for provincial opening. May I repeat to you who are vaccinated today and the relatives to still take precautions according to the public health measures. Please always wear masks, wash your hands frequently, keep social distancing, and measure the temperature when you go to different places. The vaccine only helps reducing the severe symptoms. However, everyone should feel more relieved from receiving the vaccine. Thanks the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, medical students and nurses who are helping here today. Younger people can now see how you work in the real situation of a newly emerged disease where a lot of people need to be taken care of. Thanks the Director of Srinagarind Hospital for efficient control over the spread of the disease and the successful vaccination today. Thank you everyone,” said Khon Kaen Governor.

The Covid-19 Vaccination Center of Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University at Khon Kaen Hall, 5^th Floor, Central Plaza Shopping Center is open for the vaccination during June 7-24, 2021. Khon Kaen University arranges air-conditioned shuttle buses free of charge to take people from the parking space of the Cultural Center of Khon Kaen University to Central Plaza parking space every day from 8:00 a.m. to 18:00 p.m. For more information, contact:

0868713765 (Shuttle Bus Coordinator)

06-2229-4555, 09-1938-7686, 043-366-603, 043-363-933 (Vaccination Coordinating Center, Srinagarind Hospital)

News: Rawiporn Saisaenthong

Photos” Atthapon Hampong

[Thai]

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May 3, 2021 at 16:30-17:30 p.m. – the steering committee of the Prototype Lithium-ion Battery Factory, Khon Kaen University held the first meeting of 2021 at the Innovation and Enterprise Section, 5^th Floor, Sirikunakorn Building, Khon Kaen University. President Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D. joined the meeting online. The other participants included Prof. Thidarat Boonmars, Ph.D., Vice President for Innovation and Enterprise; Asst. Prof. Thanoo Burinprakhon, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Research and International Relation of the Faculty of Sciences; Prof. Witthaya Amornkitbamrung, Ph.D., Director of the Nano-Material Innovation and Research Institute of the Faculty of Sciences; Assoc. Prof. Nonglak Meethong, Ph.D., from the Nano-Material Innovation and Research Institute of the Faculty of Sciences; and the steering committee of the Prototype Lithium-ion Battery Factory, Khon Kaen University.

The 1^st/2021 meeting of the steering committee of the Prototype Lithium-ion Battery Factory, Khon Kaen University comprised 5 agenda. The first was the chairman’s report, e.g., request for industrial product standard of the 18650 ion battery; the appointment of Prof. Witthaya Amornkitbamrung, Ph.D. as the advisor of the Prototype Lithium-ion Battery Factory; the appointment of Assoc. Prof. Nonglak Meethong, Ph.D., as a member of the Sub-Committee of Parts and Electric Vehicle Industry Promotion by the National Electric Vehicle Policy and Plan Committee; and the plans for the Project: “Reserve Battery for PAPR and Alternative Batteries for Movable Medical Equipment”.

The 2^nd Agendum was the reviewing of the past implementation, including approval of the minutes of the 3^rd meeting of 2020 of the steering committee of the Prototype Lithium-ion Battery Factory, Khon Kaen University Factory on Wednesday October 21, 2020, at 13:30-15:00 p.m.

The 3^rd Agendum was on arising matters such as the plan to give out the products of the battery factory; reporting the progress of the operations of the Prototype Lithium-ion Battery Factory in January until March, 2021.

The 4^th Agendum was the discussion of the following items: collaboration in the research project and entering MOU with C.P. Land (Public Company) on 50kW/300kWh Energy Storage System (ESS); collaboration in the research project with the Electricity Generation Authority of Thailand (EGAT); and the following key items: 1) Use of lithium-ion battery with ESS,  2) Research study on solid-state battery, 3) Battery recycling, 4) Research and development of battery life and request for International electrotechnical Commission (IEC) authorization for the lithium-ion battery standard.

The 5^th Agendum was setting the date for the next meeting of the steering committee of the Prototype Lithium-ion Battery Factory.

The project: “Reserve Battery for PAPR and Alternative Batteries for Mobile Medical Equipment”, which was discussed at the meeting was another interesting subject, for there were medical and public health objectives to solve and restore the economic and social conditions. This project was approved on April 27, 2021, with the fund from a funding source based on an Act of 2020 that enables the Ministry of Finance to make loans for mitigation of the impacts arising from the outbreak of Cpvid-19 pandemic.

The “Reserve Battery for PAPR and Alternative Batteries for Mobile Medical Equipment” Project has an aim to produce batteries for the PAPR and mobile medical equipment. Reduction of the cost at an estimate amount of over 25 million baht can be anticipated as the outcome of this project. The batteries are planned to be given to the Ministry of Public Health to distribute to hospitals all over the country in November and December, 2021.

Additional information: Smart prototype lithium-ion battery from rice-husk ash [KKU]

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May 5, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. – Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University joined the meeting of the working committee on the Artificial Intelligence in Education Program as the honorary advisor. The meeting was held online, attended by Assoc. Prof. Maitree Inprasitha, Ph.D., Vice President for Education and Academic Service and the working team comprising representatives from all faculties.

Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University began by giving the policy and direction for the curricular working team. Khon Kaen University established the strategy for education transformation as the principle mission of the University. This strategy involves the change of educational paradigm to respond to the future graduate preparation policy of the country in which the graduates shall possess the skills and competency in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Khon Kaen University is thus trying to meet with this transformation of the education paradigm by developing an Artificial Intelligence in Education program. The new mission is cooperated by all faculties. Khon Kaen University has also appointed a working committee of the AI curriculum, as per KKU announcement No. 3244/2564, Appointment of the Committee for the Artificial Intelligence in Education Curriculum. The committee is composed of all of the participants at the meeting today. The University hopes that the working committee will reach the goal in developing an appropriate program for the current situation and the needs of the country soon.

News / Photos: Jiraporn Prathomchai

[Thai]

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Recovery of patients is the optimal goal, but that must be with the safety of the medical team. Thus, the Faculty of Medicine joined the Faculty of Engineering to invent a device, the PAPR Suit or the powered air-purifying respirator, a device that will provide safety to the medical team during their Covid-19 patient care and treatment. The two faculties presented the PAPR Suit and messenger robot to Srinagarind Hospital.

April 23, 2021 at 11:30 hours, Faculty of Medicine of Khon Kaen University held the ceremony to present 10 PAPR Suits (Powered Air Purifying Respirator) and a messenger robot to Srinagarind Hospital at Nongwaeng Room 6, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University. Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthon viriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University, presided over the ceremony. Among honorable attendants were Prof. Dr. Thidarat Boonmars, Vice President for Innovation and Enterprise; Assoc. Prof. Apichat Jirawutthipong, M.D., Dean of the Faculty of Medicine; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rachapon Santiwarakorn, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering;  Assoc. Prof. Chiranut Sa-ngiamsak PhD. , Associate Dean for Research and International Relation of the Faculty of Engineering; Assoc. Prof. Songsak Kiatchusakul, M.D., Associate Dean of the Faculty of Medicine for the Hospital (Director of Srinagarind Hospital) and the research team who developed the PAPR Suit.

Faculty of Medicine joined Faculty of Engineering to build an innovation for the society during Covid-19 pandemic – the powered air-purifying respirator or PAPR suit

Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthon viriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University said “PAPR Suit or the powered air-purifying respirator is the suit invented by the professors and inventers of the Faculty of Engineering, according to the Faculty of Engineering’s and Khon Kaen University’s policy. The goal is to assist the doctors at Srinagarind Hospital in their treatment and care for Covid-19 patients. It is pleasing to say that the suit has the same quality as those available in the market. Besides the PAPR suits given to the hospital today, there is also a messenger robot that will be used for transporting medical supplies and devices and equipment to the wards, which will lessen medical professionals’ contacting the patients. Today, one robot is ready to be transferred, and another 5 are being made and will be given soon. The robot is easy to be controlled. There is a map set for the robot to move automatically to the assigned points. It is truly a quality invention which is our own. It should be useful for helping the increasing number of Covid patients, and increasing the working efficiency and safety of the staff.”

Prof. Dr. Thidarat Boonmars, Vice President for Innovation and Enterprise explained about the development and making of PAPR suit, the powered air purifying respirator, “PAPR Suit is an invention made during Covid-19 pandemic. Now, the number of people tested positive of Covid-19 is increasing continuously, but there is still shortage of the protective clothing for the medical professionals to protect them against infection when they treat the patients. The Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Engineering therefore collaboratively developed this PAPR Suit, with the supporting budget from the Innovation and Enterprise Section of KKU. The doctors can now wear the suit that will help protecting them when working with patients with Covid-19 who receive treatment and care at Srinagarind Hospital. There are 10 prototype suits that are given to Srinagarind Hospital today.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rachapon Santiwarakorn, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering related about the development and making of the PAPR suits, “The collaboration began from the need of Srinagarind Hospital to protect their staff when working with Covid-19 patients. The two faculties asked for the supporting budget from the Innovation Section. Consulting was sought from the engineering research team in terms of the requirements and the specifications, before the design was made. Until now, we made 10 suits, which can work well. The design and production of each part were done by the 3 D Printer, the technique of our faculty, and we are proud of this. We are happy to be part of the assistance for the medical team to have a suit to protect them from infection when they treat the patients.”

Assoc. Prof. Apichat Jirawutthipong, M.D., Dean of the Faculty of Medicine explained about the collaboration, “Ever since the last infection, we have found that the PAPR suit is an important device to make the medical staff safe, especially those who have to install respirators for the patients. Then, we did not have this device because there was until that time no severe respiratory infection like this. Srinagarind Hospital had to borrow the tool from other sources to prepare for the pandemic in Khon Kaen. Now, we received good collaboration from the Faculty of Engineering to develop our own PAPR suit until it became successful. Faculty of Medicine thanks Faculty of Engineering for inventing this suit, including the messenger robot that can now transfer medical supplies and materials to places in the hospital. The robot is very useful, for we have to reduce the time our staff contact the severe case patients, such as severe pneumonia. The robot can bring medicine and food to the patients at their ward. Before now, Faculty of Engineering also developed and produced UV and ozone sterilizers for our faculty, which we could use in time last year.”

Dr. Nawapak Ua-anan (Middle left), a lecturer of Department of Computer Engineering and Dr. Tinnakorn Khamsaen (Middle right), a lecturer of Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and the research team

Lastly, Assoc. Prof. Chiranut Sa-ngiamsak PhD., Associate Dean for Research and International Relation of the Faculty of Engineering, as the representative of the research and development team, added about the collaboration of the two faculties, “The research and development team of the powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) includes Dr. Nawapak Ua-anan, a lecturer of the Department of Computer Engineering and Dr. Tinnakorn Khamsaen, a lecturer from the Department of Chemical Engineering and the team who designed the suit with lecturers from the Faculty of Medicine. The PARR suit can feed purified air using a Virus Filter, which has 99.99% efficiency in filtering bacteria and virus. There is also a sound-proof system when wearing this suit. The research team also received support from Delta Electronics Thailand, who donated high-power electric fan; Khon Kaen Khlang Lek, donating a 3D molder, and Ploypim Dressmaker, helping in designing and making the prototype hoods, or the positive-pressure hood. Most of all, the success in developing the PAPR is the budget allocated by the Innovation and Enterprise Section of Khon Kaen University.”

News: Banjamaporn Mamuk

Photos: Natthawut Phetpraphai, Faculty of Engineering

[Thai]

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