Rector of Thammasat University discusses with the President of EECHDC Pushing Thammasat University, Pattaya Campus to be “the Pillar of the Modern Medicine of ASEAN”
Assoc. Prof. Gasinee Witoonchart, Rector of Thammasat University, together with Assoc. Prof. Kammal Kumar Pawa, M.D., Vice Rector for Administration (Pattaya Campus), and Asst. Prof. Nattadon Pannucharoenwong, Ph.D., Assistant Rector for Administration (Pattaya Campus) welcomed Dr. Apichart Thongyu, President of the Eastern Economic Corridor-Human Development Centre (EEC-HDC), on the occasion to discuss strategies implementation, attract investment into the Medical Service Hub of Thammasat University, Pattaya Campus (EECmd), reduce investment barriers and emphasize on building collaboration between the public and private sectors. The Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand or EEC expects that the area of Thammasat University comprehensive medical center, Pattaya Campus, will have an investment value of up to 70 billion Thai baht. In which EEC entitled Thammsat University, Pattaya Campus as the “Pillar of the Modern Medicine of ASEAN”.
Assoc. Prof. Gasinee Witoonchart, Rector of Thammasat University, said that the university is in the process of reviewing the plan, developing policies, regulations and administrative structure of Thammasat University, Pattaya Campus to maximize flexibility in area development. With Thammasat’s reputation of academic excellence, the development of the Pattaya Campus area will be in compliance with the direction that the university has set and in line with the development policy of the EEC. The university will be the mainstay in the development of a targeting industry in comprehensive medical care in which Thammasat University will later discuss this matter with the Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI).
Dr. Apichart Thongyoo, President of the EECHDC committee, said that being the Eastern Economic Corridor Special Promotional Zone for Medical Hub or EECmd of Thammasat University, Pattaya Campus, Thammasat University is therefore regarded as the pillar of the modern medicine which is not only at the national level but the potential that can be expanded to the ASEAN level. This is because there are limited number of large hospital in the Eastern Special Development Zone (Chachoengsao, Chonburi and Rayong). From visting areas where COVID-19 has spread during the period after the outbreak within the industrial plants especially in Rayong province, it is very difficult to operate a field hospital due to the limitation on supporting hospitals. Therefore, Thammasat University initiated a comprehensive medical policy and in terms of being a special economic zone as well, it is one of the strengths that will be able to carry out related work smoothly with the ability to use the EEC law in both medical and academic according to the policy set by the university.
Lastly, Assoc. Prof. Kammal Kumar Pawa, M.D., Vice Rector for Administration (Pattaya Campus) concluded on 5 main things that the university will need to proceed in an urgent phase:
- Plans for organizing curriculum, short courses and academic services according to the university policy and in accordance with the needs of the area.
- Manpower planning in accordance with the economic development of the country.
- Rules and regulations, especially public-private partnership (PPP).
- Scholarship Student Plan, a production of human personnel involved in the development of a comprehensive medical industry and is a guideline for the private sector to collaborate in the development.
- Discuss with the Pattaya City Mayor about the system of smart sub-district health-promoting hospitals to prepare on the connecting of the public health system with Thammasat University Hospital, Pattaya Campus as the main medical service in the area.
