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Workshop on biochemical education
93 Biology and launching of the Federation of African Societies of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The personal presence and representation of these persons and organizations gave great impetus and encouragement: Professor Sergio Papa (Italian Biochemical Society); Professor Vito Turk (FEBS), Professor N Bhagavan (FAOBMB), Professor Angelo Azzi (UNESCO Executive Committee for Molecular and Cell Biology) Professor Tony Segal (The Royal Society, lecturer). Financial support from UNESCO, DAAD, IUBMB, FEBS, SIDA, UNESCO ROSTA and Coca-Cola Europe lessened the financial burden. The free access to the venue at U N E P through Professor Reuben Olembo made all the difference. The Federation of African Societies of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is starting young. It will need some initial good will support as it totters onto its firm feet. This support should come both within Africa and outside. Thereafter, posterity will be the best judge of its success.
Workshop on Biochemical Education
Held at the Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok, Thailand on 27 September 1996 The workshop was organized and sponsored by the Chulabhorn Research Institute in collaboration with the
BIOCHEMICAL EDUCATION 25(2) 1997
International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB). It was opened by H E Tanin Kraivixien, Vice-president of the Chulabhorn Research Institute, who deputised for the President, H R H Princess Chulabhorn, who was unavoidably, prevented from chairing the meeting. In her place, the meeting was chaired by Professor Athasit Vejjajeva (President of Mahidol University) together with Professor Charles Pasternak (Director of the Oxford International Biomedical Centre). Four speakers from the U K (Professor C R M Bangham, Imperial College Medical School, Professor F G Cox, FRS, King's College London, Professor G E Griffin, St. George's Medical School and Dr R E Phillips, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University) outlined the current position regarding the Life Sciences in the U K (Cox) and Medical Education at Oxford (Phillips) and London (Bangham and Griffin); the latter gave accounts of the very recent new medical curriculum at Imperial College, and the latest Governmental changes to post-graduate medical education in the UK. From Thailand, Professor Pornchai Matangkasombut (Dean of Science, Mahidol University) gave an overview of science education in Thailand and Professor Athasit Vejjajiva (an eminent neurologist as well as President of Mahidol University) did the same for medical education. Both stressed the expansion in education - - including the setting-up of new Universities - - that is part of the 25-year plan (to the year 2020) of the Thai Government. Such an increase in spending on education and research, which is not confined to Thailand but is part of the programmes of other SE Asian countries such as Malaysia, is in stark contrast to the situation in UK. The workshop, which was attended by delegates from across Thailand, benefited from very informal question and answer sessions among the participants. The organisation of the workshop, by Dr. Mathuros Ruchirawat and Dr. Jisnuson Svasti of the Chulabhorn Research Institute, highlighted the very real desire of the major Thai educational institutions to collaborate with the UK. It is reassuring to know that our educational and postgraduate training systems are still appreciated in many parts of the world, of which Thailand is a prime example.
Workshop on Biochemical Education
Held at the Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok, Thailand on 27 September 1996 The workshop was organized and sponsored by the Chulabhorn Research Institute in collaboration with the
BIOCHEMICAL EDUCATION 25(2) 1997
International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB). It was opened by H E Tanin Kraivixien, Vice-president of the Chulabhorn Research Institute, who deputised for the President, H R H Princess Chulabhorn, who was unavoidably, prevented from chairing the meeting. In her place, the meeting was chaired by Professor Athasit Vejjajeva (President of Mahidol University) together with Professor Charles Pasternak (Director of the Oxford International Biomedical Centre). Four speakers from the U K (Professor C R M Bangham, Imperial College Medical School, Professor F G Cox, FRS, King's College London, Professor G E Griffin, St. George's Medical School and Dr R E Phillips, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University) outlined the current position regarding the Life Sciences in the U K (Cox) and Medical Education at Oxford (Phillips) and London (Bangham and Griffin); the latter gave accounts of the very recent new medical curriculum at Imperial College, and the latest Governmental changes to post-graduate medical education in the UK. From Thailand, Professor Pornchai Matangkasombut (Dean of Science, Mahidol University) gave an overview of science education in Thailand and Professor Athasit Vejjajiva (an eminent neurologist as well as President of Mahidol University) did the same for medical education. Both stressed the expansion in education - - including the setting-up of new Universities - - that is part of the 25-year plan (to the year 2020) of the Thai Government. Such an increase in spending on education and research, which is not confined to Thailand but is part of the programmes of other SE Asian countries such as Malaysia, is in stark contrast to the situation in UK. The workshop, which was attended by delegates from across Thailand, benefited from very informal question and answer sessions among the participants. The organisation of the workshop, by Dr. Mathuros Ruchirawat and Dr. Jisnuson Svasti of the Chulabhorn Research Institute, highlighted the very real desire of the major Thai educational institutions to collaborate with the UK. It is reassuring to know that our educational and postgraduate training systems are still appreciated in many parts of the world, of which Thailand is a prime example.