The School of Public Health at Mae Fah Luang University (MFU) recently hosted a Visiting Scholar Program as part of its commitment to promoting international academic collaboration and knowledge exchange from November 3-9, 2025. The program was conducted in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), Indonesia. This program aims to strengthen the academic collaboration established between the two institutions by enhancing academic engagement, initiating research collaborations, and providing students from both institutions with opportunities to learn from international health experts. The visiting scholar program is a continuation of the previous visiting professor program in 2024, which was organized by the Faculty of Medicine UNNES by inviting Asst. Prof. Dr. Phitsanuruk Khantawee, representing MFU.
Prof. Dr. dr. Mahalul Azam, M.Kes., Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, UNNES, joined the School of Public Health as a visiting scholar under the program. During the program, Prof. Azam served as an invited speaker at the 56th APACPH Conference 2025, hosted by MFU on November 6, 2025. He also delivered guest lectures for master’s and bachelor’s students and provided thesis guidance and academic consultation for master’s students at MFU. Prof. Azam’s participation in the visiting scholar program contributed to the academic enhancement of the students and strengthened collaborative initiatives between the two faculties.
Prof. Azam, representing UNNES, also expressed enthusiasm for participating in the Visiting Scholar Program. The program also provides mutual benefits for both institutions by promoting the exchange of ideas in public health education and research, which opens excellent opportunities for faculty members to be involved in other collaborative frameworks. In the future, both institutions have agreed to initiate an integrated collaboration framework that encompasses joint research and publication, academic exchange, as well as an inbound-outbound student mobility program. This framework is expected to build stronger partnerships between the two institutions. Through this program, MFU and UNNES reaffirm their dedication to advancing international collaboration by fostering a globally engaged academic community in both institutions. Both MFU and UNNES are looking forward to future partnership engagement for scholarly exchange.
