Mahidol University International College (MUIC) kicked off its joint project with the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital entitled,“Service Solution Design Competition” on August 7, 2023 at Charinyarasami Hall.

Participated in by 36 students from Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia Vietnam and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, most of whom are either enrolled in biological science or medical school, the competition aims to come up with the best service solution that will provide physical, mental and emotional well-being to elderly patients. Not only that, such solutions should also have a feasible business component and an aesthetic packaging design and promotional value.

In her opening remarks, Prof. Chulathida Chomchai, M.D., MUIC Dean, explained that this competition is based on design thinking wherein business practices and the arts are utilized to complement scientific and medical innovations. People in the sciences are good at conceptualizing and making innovations, the Dean said, but the business aspect helps put these ideas on store shelves while arts and design provide them with an attractive packaging.

Dean Chulathida also emphasized the importance of getting to know the stakeholders more. “We should observe and listen to what stakeholders are saying…and what they’re not saying,” she explained.

Clinical Prof. Visit Vamvanit, M.D., Director of Siriraj Hospital and representative of the Siriraj Academic Center of Geriatric Medicine, gave a presentation about the aging population of Thailand and Siriraj Hospital’s corresponding actions including its strategy for the aging population and a new paradigm in healthcare delivery that is more patient-centric—promoting the health of citizens and advocating for lifetime and preventive care.

In the afternoon, the students were brought for a site visit at Siriraj Academic Center of Geriatric Medicine in Samut Sakhon province. They will spend the next three days attending seminar-workshops on design thinking, visual design, and business concepts as each team develops its own proposals. Finally, on August 11, all the teams will make their pitch before a panel of judges.