Thirteen PSU delegates, led by PSU President Asst. Prof. Dr. Niwat Keawpradub, visited several outstanding institutions and universities in Bahrain from 26 to 28 March 2019, through the kind arrangement and thoughtful facilitation by H.E. Mr. Thanis Na Songkhla, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Kingdom of Bahrain, and Mr. Banna Vaungvivat, Minister Counsellor.
On 27 March 2019, PSU delegates had the honor of an auspicious audience with His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The delegation reported on the progress of the university’s operations related to collaboration with Bahraini institutions in various areas, including public health and education. The delegates also detailed the current operation and future improvement plans of the “His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa” Bahrain Information Center, a noble initiative attesting to His Royal Highness’ kind support of future generations.
This auspicious event was a blissful opportunity for PSU to receive His Royal Highness’ insightful advice on strengthening collaboration between the two nations by developing the public health and academic sector through exchanging expertise. 
On the same day, Asst. Prof. Dr. Niwat Keawpradub, PSU President, and H.E. Faeqa bint Saeed AlSaleh, Minister of Health of the Kingdom of Bahrain, signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Bahrain and Prince of Songkla University. The agreement outlines various ways of cooperation in medical and health science related fields, particularly through visiting doctor programs, patient referrals and training programs. A visiting doctor program has already been implemented with great success, involving Thai doctors practicing their trade at esteemed Bahraini institutions. A training program will be initiated in the near future, with four Bahraini doctors attending PSU’s Faculty of Medicine in July 2019.
On 28 March 2019, PSU delegates had the chance to visit the University of Bahrain (UoB), and discuss collaboration with Prof. Dr. Riyadh Hamza, UoB President, and team. The fruitful meeting identified several ways of future cooperation to be initiated between PSU and UoB, including joint degrees in the areas of Nursing and Islamic Studies, and collaboration in online learning after the successful initiation of a student exchange program.
The delegation also conducted a study visit to the Halat Bu Maher Health Center, followed by an informative discussion with representatives of the Bahraini Chamber of Commerce, where delegates explored possibilities of collaborating with the private sector.
The PSU delegation returned with several new ideas for growth and improvement on both the regional and international level. Collaboration through newly established connections and renewed friendships will be beneficial not only for PSU and Bahraini institutions but also for the two nations in general.
