FACULTY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
January 31 to February 4, 2026
11th International Workshop on Clinical Research Methods
Khon Kaen University, Thailand
The 11th International Workshop on Clinical Research Methods was held from January 31 to February 4, 2026, in Khon Kaen, Thailand. This significant academic event was organized through a collaborative partnership between Khon Kaen University and Thammasat University (Thailand), the University of Washington (USA), Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy (Vietnam), the University of the Philippines (Philippines), Universitas Indonesia (Indonesia), and Universiti Malaya (Malaysia). The program was further supported by the National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) and the Fogarty International Center (FIC) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The workshop began with a welcome dinner featuring traditional Isaan cuisine, providing a forum for informal introductions among the lecturers, university deans, and international delegates. The formal program opened the following day with remarks from Professor Pewpan Maleewong, M.D., Vice President for Research and Innovation, followed by an orientation from Professor Waranuch Pitiphat, D.D.S., Ph.D., Director of the Clinical and Public Health Research Training in Oral Health for Southeast Asia Project. A welcoming speech was also delivered by Assistant Professor Ajiravudh Subarnbhesaj, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry at Khon Kaen University.
The workshop hosted over 40 participants, including faculty members, researchers, and postgraduate students from ten nations: Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand. Representing our university were Dr. Maricar Jane T. Sison from the Endodontics Section and Dr. Anna Nikole Delos Santos from the Fixed Prosthodontics Section.
The academic agenda was designed to provide high-yield practical value, led by a distinguished international faculty. Core lectures on research design and conceptual models were delivered by Dr. Christy McKinney and Dr. Ana Lucia Seminario from the University of Washington, while Dr. Bandit Thinkhamrop of Khon Kaen University provided an intensive series on biostatistics, including sample size estimation and statistical inference.
Ethical considerations in clinical research were addressed by Dr. Supatra Porasuphatana and Dr. Jarin Paphangkorakit, covering the Belmont Report and the responsible conduct of research. Further specialized sessions included evidence-based dentistry and systematic search strategies by Dr. Matana Kettratad-Pruksapong of Thammasat University, and behavioral science applications led by Dr. Susan Coldwell and Dr. Teekayu Plangkoon Jorns. Other critical contributions included insights on periodontal research models by Dr. Nawarat Wara-aswapati.
The program reached its peak during the Study Design Workshop, where participants presented their research frameworks for peer review and received direct mentorship from the faculty. Reflecting on the 20-year legacy of this workshop, which originated in 2006, it was notable that many current facilitators were among the program’s inaugural students.
The intensive week concluded with a vibrant farewell dinner and a celebratory cultural night. Delegates transitioned from the demands of the workshop to a festive showcase of heritage, appearing in their traditional national costumes. The evening was highlighted by cultural presentations from each represented country, fostering a spirit of unity and friendship. This final gathering served as a memorable reminder that while the workshop strengthens technical research competencies, its true impact lies in building the international relationships necessary to address the complex oral health challenges across the region.
#SDG3 #SDG4 #SDG17 #FP4Education for the University #UPManila #HigherEducation
#UPManilafortheSDGs
