Visit of Faculty and Graduate Students from Mahasarakham University

On November 16, 35 pharmacy faculty and graduate students from Mahasakham University (Thailand), which has an exchange agreement with Showa University School of Pharmacy, visited our Hatanodai campus and Showa University Hospital to learn about medical care and the daily life of pharmacists in Japan.In 2011 the pharmacy schools of Showa University and Mahasarakham University started an exchange program for 5th/6th-year students, and since then students from each university have participated in a short-term study abroad. This time, Professor Hiroyuki Itabe, members of the School of Pharmacy International Exchange Committee, and the International Exchange Center helped organized a visit of a group mainly of graduate students and young clinical faculty members to Showa University as part of a 5-day study trip to Japan.
On this day, after an introduction to Showa University by Professor Miyuki Hashomotof the International Exchange Center, pharmacy professors gave lectures on “The Japanese medical system” (Associate Professor Kishimoto) and “Showa University and daily life of pharmacists” (Professor Sasaki).
In the afternoon, our guests were separated into 2 groups and did a “Japanese traditional medicine practicum” (Division of Natural Medicine and Therapeutics) and “hospital tour” (Department of Hospital Pharmaceutics).
Around noon, a welcome lunch was held and in small groups Showa University graduate students, Mahasarkham University students, and faculty interacted with each other. Although short, we were able to have a very fulfilling exchange opportunity.