On 31 March 2026, Khon Kaen University (KKU) officially welcomed Professor Dr. Inês Falcão Pires from the Department of Surgery and Physiology, Cardiovascular R&D Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal. Her visit was conducted under the Erasmus+ Mobility programme.
Assistant Professor Acharawan Topark-Ngarm, Ph.D., Assistant to the President for International Affairs, along with faculty members from the Faculty of Medicine, led the reception. The meeting focused on exploring avenues for academic and research collaboration between the two institutions, particularly in academic exchange and research initiatives. Khon Kaen University and the University of Porto have maintained a strong partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and continuous engagement in the Erasmus+ programme, facilitating both staff and student mobility. These collaborations are a vital mechanism for enhancing the international standards of teaching and research.
During her visit, Professor Dr. Inês Falcão Pires also engaged in teaching activities at the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University. She delivered lectures and workshops on topics related to cardiovascular disease, including:
- Cardiac reverse remodelling: mechanisms and clinical implications
- Animal and human models of cardiovascular research
- In vitro and in vivo evaluation of cardiac function
- Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
This visit marks another significant step in strengthening the academic and research partnership between Khon Kaen University and a leading European university. It is poised to contribute to the sustainable development of medical and research capabilities at an international level.
