Songkhla Nakarin news

Prince of Songkla University (PSU), Mahidol University, and Kasetsart University have joined forces to advance academic collaboration in elderly healthcare through the project "Integrated Physiotherapy Capacity Building for Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) in Lao PDR: 3 U for Real World Impact." The initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of physiotherapists and healthcare professionals from the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), while fostering sustainable international academic collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Held from 19-25 July 2026, the program was hosted across the three partner universities under the theme    "3 U for Real World Impact." By integrating the expertise, experience, and academic strengths of each institution, the project introduced participants to the Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) framework developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), promoting holistic and person-centered approaches to elderly care. 

The intensive training program combined academic lectures, hands-on practical sessions, field visits, and experiential learning activities. Designed as a Training of Trainers (TOT) program, it equips participants with the knowledge and skills needed to become future trainers and leaders capable of expanding integrated elderly care services throughout the Lao PDR.

From 23-25 July 2026, Prince of Songkla University hosted the final phase of the program. The delegation from the Lao PDR, together with representatives from Mahidol University and Kasetsart University, was welcomed by Associate Professor Dr. Wongkot Phuphumirat, Assistant President for International Affairs, and Associate Professor Dr. Sumitra Prathep, Associate Dean for International Relations, Public Relations and Corporate Communication, Faculty of Medicine. The welcoming ceremony reflected PSU's commitment to becoming a globally engaged university that promotes international collaboration, intercultural exchange, and knowledge sharing for sustainable development.

Throughout the seven-day program, participants learned from distinguished faculty members and experts from all three universities through lectures, clinical practice sessions in geriatric physiotherapy, and discussions on holistic elderly care based on the ICOPE framework. The program encouraged participants to adapt these approaches to the healthcare context of the Lao PDR.

As one of the host universities, Prince of Songkla University, through the Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, and the Global Affairs and Corporate Communication Center, played a key role in both academic delivery and international coordination.

One of the highlights of the PSU program was a Home Healthcare field visit to Ban Phru Community, Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, where participants observed community-based elderly care in real-life settings. Activities included home visits, health assessments, quality-of-life promotion, and collaborative practice with local healthcare professionals. Faculty members from the Department of Physical Therapy shared their expertise and demonstrated community-based physiotherapy services, enabling participants to bridge classroom knowledge with practical implementation and explore ways to adapt these practices within the Lao healthcare system.

The project demonstrates how the combined expertise of Mahidol University, Kasetsart University, and Prince of Songkla University can generate meaningful regional impact through collaborative capacity building. Beyond professional development, "3 U for Real World Impact" reinforces PSU's commitment to internationalization, academic service, and sustainable partnerships that contribute to improving the quality of life for older adults across ASEAN.