Empowering Medical Education: Highlights from the 12th ASEAN Medical Deans’ Summit and 8th ASEAN Medical School Network Student Chapter

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Prof. Apichat Asavamongkolkul, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University along with Assoc. Prof. Prapat Wanitpongpan, Deputy Dean for Corporate Communication and International Relations, Assoc. Prof. Sith Sathornsumetee, Deputy Dean for Research and Innovation, Assoc. Prof. Tripop Lertbunnaphong, Deputy Dean for Undergraduate Education, and Asst. Prof. Kanokwaroon Watananirun, Assistant Dean for Corporate Communication and International Relations attended the “12th ASEAN Medical Deans’ Summit” and “the 8th ASEAN Medical School Network: Student Chapter” between July 27th -29th,2023, hosted by Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

On July 28th, 2023 – The ASEAN Medical Deans’ Summit commenced with an opening remark by Prof. Chong Yap Seng, President of ASEAN Medical School Network, and a speech from Prof. Dato’ Ir. Dr. Mohd Hamdi Abd Shukor, Vice Chancellor of Universiti Malaya.

Themed “Towards the Development of Future-Ready ASEAN Health Professionals,” the four-day summit featured four insightful sessions:

 

Session 1: Preparing Graduates for Practice

Moderated by Prof. Charlotte Chiong, Dean of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, the session covered essential topics:

  • Yang Faridah from Universiti Malaya, Malaysia, discussed “Competency-based Medical Education and Standards.”
  • Prof. Lau Tang Ching, Vice Dean of Education at NUSMed, Singapore, emphasized the importance of “Healthcare Common Curriculum for Interprofessional Education.”
  • Prof. Tripop Lertbunnaphong, Deputy Dean of Undergraduate Education at Mahidol, highlighted “Non-Compensatory Based Assessment and Pi Shape Medical Curriculum.”

Session 2: Coaching in Learner-Centered Medical Education

Assoc. Prof. Marion Aw, Vice Dean at the Office of Student Affairs, NUSMed, expertly moderated this session featuring esteemed speakers:

  • Shahrul Bahyah, Deputy Dean of Postgraduate Studies at Universiti Malaya, discussed “Refining role of trainers in the postgraduate clinical program”
  • Prof. Dionne Sacdalan from the Philippine General Hospital offered valuable perspectives on “Supporting the postgraduate trainees during the COVID–19 pandemic: The Philippine General Hospital experience”
  • Dwiana Ocviyanti, Vice Dean at Universitas Indonesia
  • Khin Aung Htun, Rector of Defense Services Medical Academy, Yangon, added his expertise to the discussion.

Session 3: Best Practices in Assessments

Asst. Prof. Kanokwaroon Watananirun, Assistant Dean for Corporate Communication and International Relations moderated this crucial session.

 

Session 4: Harmonization of Curricula Across ASEAN: Education Without Borders

Assoc. Prof. Prapat Wanitpongpan, Deputy Dean for Corporate Communication and International Relations, skillfully led this session, which included a “Strategic Approaches to Achievement” workshop covering the following topics:

 

  • Hong Wei Han, from the Medical Education & Research Development Unit at UM, elaborated on the ASEAN graduate profile.
  • Ari Fahrial Syam, Dean of Universitas Indonesia, delved into ASEAN Collaborative Learning.
  • Discussions on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) were explored.
  • Dujeepa Samarasekera, Senior Director at the Centre for Medical Education, NUSMed, discussed ASEAN Faculty Development (NUS).

 

Simultaneously, the ASEAN Medical School Network (AMSN) Student Chapter, with the theme “Comprehensive Assessment for Future-ready Medical Practitioners,” engaged students from ASEAN countries in exploring three sub-themes:

  • Authentic Assessments (WPBA): Focusing on evaluating clinical competencies through workplace-based assessments.
  • Assessment of Professionalism: Ethical practices and behavior as future doctors and students were evaluated.
  • Simulation-Based Assessments: Students honed technical and non-technical skills through lifelike scenarios and OSCE.

On July 28th, 2023 student representatives from student dialogue also presented in the AMSN Student Dialogue with the moderator, Prof. Dr. Muhamad Yazid Jalaluddin.

The summit and student chapter event provided an invaluable platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange among medical professionals and students, fostering a promising future for ASEAN’s healthcare sector.