The School of Pharmacy at Walailak University, led by Dr. Thanawat Khongyot, took a significant step in advancing international academic exposure by escorting seven Bachelor of Pharmacy students to participate in the prestigious Sakura Science Exchange Program at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University, Japan, held from October 17–25, 2026. Supported by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), the initiative bridges youth collaboration in cutting-edge science, technology, and cross-cultural understanding.
Throughout the intensive nine-day program, the students immersed themselves in hands-on professional experiences. Practical sessions included Japanese traditional Kampo formulation, Shiunko ointment preparation, and clinical site visits to community pharmacies in Chiba Prefecture and the Toho University Ohashi Medical Center in Tokyo. Academic enrichment was further broadened through lectures on Japanese clinical pharmacy education and site visits to the Daiichi Sankyo Kusuri Museum and the National Museum of Nature and Science.
A central highlight was the bilateral symposium between Walailak and Toho pharmacy students. Participants shared comparative insights into education systems, licensing pathways, and professional standards, culminating in a forward-looking panel on “The Future Role of Pharmacy Graduates in Clinical Practice and Data-Driven Healthcare.” Students presented practical frameworks for integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) across drug discovery, pharmacovigilance, and clinical monitoring, emphasizing ethical compliance, data privacy, and empathetic patient counseling under the vision “Use AI as a tool, not a replacement of pharmacists.”
This exchange broadens global perspectives on technology-driven healthcare delivery and solidifies sustainable bilateral partnerships in pharmacy education and joint research between the two institutions.