Siam University Leadership Visits the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
By Nathaniel Thomas, MBA, office manager, Experiential Learning Program
For the past nine years, the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) has maintained a student exchange agreement with Siam University in Thailand. This partnership continues to thrive today, providing valuable educational and cultural opportunities for students and faculty at both institutions.
Through the exchange program, five Siam University students have completed patient care rotations at the University of Maryland Medical Center. During these experiences, students applied the knowledge and skills they developed in the classroom while participating in the Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process. This included collecting and assessing patient-specific information, developing and implementing individualized patient-centered care plans, and monitoring and evaluating patient outcomes under the guidance of pharmacy preceptors.
UMSOP students who have traveled to Siam University have similarly benefited from immersive international learning experiences. In addition to gaining exposure to a different health care system and pharmacy practice environment, students have had the opportunity to learn firsthand about cultural influences on patient care and communication.
One UMSOP student reflected on the experience, saying, “My rotation at Siam University expanded my perspective on pharmacy practice and showed me the importance of cultural sensitivity in patient care. Beyond the academic experience, I built meaningful friendships, explored Thailand’s rich culture, and gained memories that will stay with me throughout my career.”
During the Spring 2026 semester, Pornchai Mongkhonvanit, MBA, president of Siam University, and his colleague Yhing Sawhey, PhD, MBA, director of international affairs at Siam University, traveled to Washington, D.C., for a conference. During their visit, they made a special trip to UMSOP to meet with the Experiential Learning Program staff and UMSOP faculty members.
Yhing Sawhey and Pornchai Mongkhonvanit
I had the privilege of welcoming Mongkhonvanit and Sawhey and providing them with a tour of the School of Pharmacy, including the pharmacy practice labs, the Objective Structured Clinical Examination suite, the dean’s office, lecture halls, and the Joseph U. Dorsch Sr., BSP ’39, Pharmacy Museum. They also met several faculty members, including Drs. Agnes Ann Feemster, Amy Kruger Howard, and Andrew Coop.
Mongkhonvanit shared the following reflections about his visit to UMSOP.
“Our partnership with UMSOP has created valuable opportunities for students from both institutions, which made this visit especially meaningful,” he said. “I appreciated the opportunity to tour the simulation labs, classrooms, and pharmacy museum and to meet with the dean and faculty members. We were especially impressed by the pharmacy mock-up stores and the hands-on learning experiences they provide for students as they prepare for professional practice.”
Hearing these reflections was especially rewarding. Over the years, I have seen firsthand how this partnership has enriched the educational experiences of students from both institutions. Visits like this reinforce the value of international collaboration and the lasting relationships that can grow from shared educational goals.