Alumni Spotlight: Thailand
This month we are proud to feature Nadthawee Promprasit, an alumna from Thailand who participated in the Global UGRAD Program in the spring of 2024. As a biology major at Nazareth University in Rochester, New York, she advanced her STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education and widely explored her passion for new languages and cultures outside of the classroom.
Recently, Nadthawee was able to combine these two areas of interest as a translator and master of ceremonies for an international medical design competition at her home university, Mahidol University International College (MUIC) in Salaya, Thailand. The topic of the 2024 Design Challenge at MUIC was “Dental Service for the Elderly.” Nadthawee recently shared with the Global UGRAD team more information about the competition and her involvement. Her comments below have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
“The program selects 35 students, primarily medical and science students, to explore the journey of elderly patients in dental clinics. Participants engage in simulation exercises, such as wearing stiff joint devices and specialty goggles, to gain a deeper understanding of the aging experience. They also visit Siriraj Hospital Dental Clinic to observe needs, interact with patients, and interview stakeholders. Additionally, field trips to the Siriraj Open Innovation Lab allow students to explore current digital health devices and learn about Thai and Southeast Asian regulations related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare. During these visits, I served as a translator and senior consultant.
My role involved advising participants on the feasibility of their designs and providing insights for their pitches, based on my ‘med-hackathon’ experience. I also guided students on mapping customer journeys and maximizing insights from their interviews. It’s been inspiring to witness their creative thinking processes evolve in such a small amount of time. It may sound dramatic, but what I saw was a blossom of new problem solvers. We’ve built connections that could lead to potential change-makers in the future, opening up numerous possibilities and opportunities for the future of medicine in Southeast Asia. One of Thailand’s goals is to become the medical hub for the region.
This year, the event welcomed competitors from China, and hosting this challenge was an inspiring experience for me. It opened my eyes not only to the advancements in medical innovation but also to the power of global collaboration. As a proud UGRAD alumna, my exchange experience allowed me to explore diverse cultures, embrace new languages, and broaden my perspective beyond my STEM background.
Another responsibility of mine was serving as the emcee on pitch day, where I hosted the event and facilitated the flow of presentations. I ensured that each team had the opportunity to present their innovative solutions confidently while maintaining the energy and engagement of the audience. Overall, it was a rewarding experience to witness the students’ growth throughout the challenge.
In my last term at university, I am excited to continue my global journey by taking Chinese language classes. I believe that by embracing new languages and cultures, we continue to grow as global citizens.”
