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Thai Nursing Deans in Seattle for Key
UW Exchange Program

Dr. Wipada Kunaviktukul, dean of Chiang Mai University School of Nursing in Thailand, and Associate Dean Areewan Klunklin were hosted by the UW School of Nursing for a five-day visit to Seattle this summer. The two schools of nursing have enjoyed an active international exchange program since 1996.

The Thai nursing deans are interested in establishing a center for nursing education and research in Chiang Mai. Both the Chiang Mai and UW Schools of Nursing are continually developing new programs and policies to address world-wide nursing shortages and changing demographics that impact nursing.

The Thai nursing deans enjoyed several days of meetings with faculty and administrators at the top-ranked UW school, which receives more funding for nursing research from the National Institutes of Health than any other school of nursing in the country.

The collaborative program established between the School of Nursing and Chiang Mai University has become a model for other schools. Eighteen nursing faculty from the UW have taught courses at Chiang Mai University during the summer months, taking with them both undergraduate and graduate nursing students who complete independent study projects under the supervision of Thai nursing faculty. Eight students from Chiang Mai have studied at the UW or are currently enrolled.

Visitors to both countries are provided with outstanding hospitality that immerses them in local cultural experiences. Among other events, the two Thai deans enjoyed a reception at the home of School of Nursing Dean Nancy F. Woods, as well as an informal outdoor dinner at the home of Associate Professor of Nursing Basia Belza, who introduced the two guests to roasted marshmallows.

In support of the seven years of successful collaboration with Chiang Mai School of Nursing, UW President Richard McCormick recently visited Chiang Mai University during a trip to Thailand.

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