UTHealth Houston, Mahidol University agree to educational, scientific collaboration

UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry and Mahidol University of Bangkok-Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, have agreed to establish a program to exchange collaborations in areas of interest and benefit to both institutions.

Thailand is one of the three approved countries, in addition to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, enrolled in the UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry International Scholarship Training Program, more commonly referred to as ISTP. The program was founded by Professor Sudarat Kiat-amnuay, DDS, ISTP faculty leader/principal investigator and program director of Advanced Education in General Dentistry.

In December 2023, the two universities signed a memorandum of understanding to promote teaching and research activities and deepen the understanding of economic, cultural, and social issues of the respective institutions.

UTHealth Houston Senior Vice President of Academic and Faculty Affairs, Kevin Morano, PhD, signed the agreement, along with Robert Spears, PhD, associate dean for student and academic affairs at the School of Dentistry, on behalf of the Dean John A. Valenza, DDS.

Mahidol University President Banchong Mahaisavariya, MD, signed for his institution and by Sirichai Kiattavorncharoen, DDS, MD, DrMed, dean of the MU Faculty of Dentistry.

At the signing event in Thailand, Mahaisavariya said the agreement marked “a significant milestone” in MU’s pursuit of academic excellence and international collaboration.

“The signing of this MOU between us is not only a formal agreement but it also symbolizes the strength of our partnership and the mutual benefits that will come from the exchange of knowledge, resources, and expertise,” said Mahaisavariya. “As we are together in this collaborative journey, I am confident that through our joint efforts, Mahidol University and The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston will achieve significant milestones that will not only benefit our respective institutions but also contribute meaningfully to the global community.”

The memorandum of understanding says each school will:

• Promote institutional exchanges by inviting faculty and staff of the partner institution to participate in a variety of teaching and/or research activities and professional development;
• Receive undergraduate and graduate students of the partner institution for periods of study and/or research;
• Organize symposia, conferences, short courses, and meetings on research issues;
• Carry out joint research and continuing education programs;
• Exchange information pertaining to developments in teaching, student development, and research at each institution.

Mahidol University School of Dentistry is planning to bring students and faculty members to visit and observe UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry in Fall 2024. The university also plans to fund junior faculty member(s) to enter UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry dental residency training program under ISTP and return back to Thailand after graduation.

ISTP, which aims to train dentists to serve populations in the U.S. and internationally, was established as an AEGD pilot program in 2010 with the support of School of Dentistry and UTHealth Houston administration.

In 2012, an agreement was reached with Kuwait Ministry of Health, marking the first international program in UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry’s history. Additional agreements were reached with Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission in 2014 and Khon Kaen University, Thailand, in 2018, respectively.

With successful candidates produced from three countries, ISTP was approved by UTHealth Houston in 2019 to expand to all School of Dentistry residency programs. Participating accredited programs include two primary care general residency programs (AEGD and General Practice Residency) and advanced education programs in endodontics, oral and maxillofacial pathology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, periodontics, and prosthodontics.