ASEAN Institute for Health Development Strengthens Research and Educational Collaboration, Including Student Internships in the Republic of China (Taiwan)

24-25 March 2025

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On March 24-25, 2025, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cheerawit Rattanapan, Deputy Director for Research and Academic Affairs and Program Director, Doctor of Philosophy Program in Health and Sustainable Development (International Program) visited the Republic of China (Taiwan) to foster academic collaborations with leading educational and research institutions. These included the Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering at the National Taiwan University (NTU), the College of Engineering and the Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering and Management at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, as well as the Taiwan Association for Aerosol Research. The visit aimed to develop research collaborations in the form of a Research Cluster, establish joint or dual doctoral degree programs, and facilitate faculty and student exchanges, both short-term and long-term. A particular focus was placed on assessing the health impacts of air pollution, especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which remains a critical issue in Southeast Asian countries and Taiwan. Additionally, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cheerawit visited two Ph.D. students currently undertaking internships: one in elderly care at the National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and another specializing in health impact assessments related to PM2.5 exposure at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology. The visit aimed to monitor the progress of their internships and support the development of high-quality research publications in collaboration with international experts.