Lok Chumteav Cham Krasna, CEO of Soma Group and a member of UP’s Board of Trustees uthisastra, presided over the opening ceremony of the 2023 foundation year orientation day, which was held at University Puthisastra.

Krasna said “Our mission is to produce healthcare professionals who are skilled, knowledgeable, and compassionate. We believe that with the right education and training, our graduates will be able to help solve the challenges facing Cambodia’s healthcare and ICT system.”.

The Big Launch also included the Lboktor performance, Blessing dance, UP uniform presentation, UP campus tours, and workshops from seniors for all our new 550 new intake students.

UP getting ready to open UP Dental Hospital 2

UP is getting ready to open its new 22 chair dental hospital later this month. The dental chairs have all been installed, and new staff have been hired, including two dental assistants and 2 receptionists, who are now undergoing training. The new Dental Hospital will be used to give our undergraduate students more clinical experience, provide high quality treatment to patients by our resident dentists and dental specialists, and it will also host many postgraduate and CPD courses.

We are all enthusiastically waiting to start work in our new Dental Hospital, none more so than our UP Health Center Manager Mr Andrew Sinclair who has been working tirelessly with the building contractors, Unident and Unidecor, for the last few months to bring the project to fruition.

UP OPENS THE BIGGEST PHARMACY IN CAMBODIA

UP Pharmacy is located on the ground floor of the UP Health Center at No. 124, Street 184, Phum07, Sangkat Boeung Raing, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh, slightly opposite the University of Puthisastra.

UP Pharmacy provides quality pharmacy services such as reviewing prescriptions from doctors to ensure accuracy and suitability for the patient, including the dosage, time of administration, and correctly and safely labeled medications; providing supervised administration of medicines; advising the public on medicines and side effects of medicines; treating minor ailments; providing advice on specialist health care issues, such as blood pressure, smoking cessation, cholesterol monitoring, and diabetes screening; and supporting the patients in making healthier choices, such as increasing their intake of nutritious food, exercising more often, or stopping smoking. Pay us a visit if you have any health concerns. Our pharmacists are there to help you everyday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Aside from providing quality pharmacy services to customers, UP Pharmacy is the place where UP Pharmacy students can put what they learn into practice. Our students will have a chance to make a positive impact on pharmacy in Cambodia. Our vision is to be the best pharmacy model and the most standard pharmacy in Cambodia.

We are so excited for the upcoming journey with our students, staff, and healthcare professionals who are willing to make a positive difference in pharmacy practice in Cambodia.

UNIVERSITY OF PUTHISASTRA PHARMACY SOFT OPENING PROMOTION: 10% OFF EVERYTHING IN MARCH 2023

To celebrate the soft opening of the University of Puthisastra Pharmacy (UP Pharmacy), we are offering a 10% discount on all products until the end of March for everyone. For UP staff, UP students, and Soma Group, they can get 10% off all products all year round. UP Pharmacy is open every day from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. You can find a wide range of products, including many common over-the-counter medicines, prescription medicines, vitamins, skin care products, first aid products, and so forth. Don’t miss our special offer! Enjoy the best rates.

Introducing Dr Daravuthy, Medical Doctor, in UP’s new Medical Center

Dr. On Daravuthy graduated with a medical doctor degree in 2015. Soon after, she started to work as a Clinic Physician at the Reproductive Health Association of Cambodia (RHAC), focusing on Gynecology, Reproductive Health, Family Planning, Antenatal Care, Primary Health Care, VCCT Counseling, Minor Surgery. She has also worked as a Medical Doctor at Maung Reussey Referral Hospital, focusing on General health care, advise and treatment for children and adults. Moreover, she has worked also in private practice.

Dr. Daravuthy keeps herself up to date to ensure that the required professional standards are maintained and that she is able to provide the best level of service by using UP Health Centre’s modern equipment.

Faculty of English Attends 19th CamTESOL Conference

Lecturers from the Faculty of English attended the recently held 19th Annual CamTESOL Conference, right here in Phnom Penh, at the Institute of Technology.

This once-a-year event, being held in-person for the first time since 2020, is organized by our professional partners, IDP Education & the Australian Center for Education (ACE). It brings together teachers, lecturers and education specialists from across South-East Asia and the wider Pacific region, to engage in professional networking and to attend a wide range of seminars and training sessions to broaden and deepen their professional skills and approaches to teaching.

Individual seminar sessions were hosted by representatives from Cambodia, Australia, the UK, Ireland, Canada, the USA, New Zealand, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and beyond.
Some of the seminar sessions attended by the university’s English teachers included:
• Online & Transnational Delivery of English Language Teaching – Global Views & Perspectives For Being Future-Ready;
• Self-assessment of teachers professional development needs;
• Why Extensive Reading needs teachers;
• Engage Your Brains! Developing & Encouraging Creativity in the English Language classroom;
• In-Class, Online, or both? The future of blended learning in a post-pandemic learning environment.

As with each annual CamTESOL conference, it wasn’t all hard work though! The English team also took time to have fun and make new friends at the Conference, and they look forward to returning to CamTESOL in 2024!

Branch Centre Charity Walk

WE DID IT …!
On Sunday, 5th March, Jean Le Goff, his wife Stephanie, and myself (Dave Spencer), completed our walk to raise much-needed funds for the Branch Centre Orphanage.

We set off from the gates of UP at 6 am on Sunday morning, arriving at The Branch Centre around 10 am. We managed to cover the 27 Kilometers in a time of 4 hours quite comfortably. Fortunately, our decision to start the walk early was a good one, as, by 8 am, the sun was starting to burn our white skin! We were helped along the way by our support team of Eng Sokchan, Norin Rathana, Daniel Gillard, and Andre Papadimitriou. Many thanks to you guys for your help in giving directions, supplying cold drinks, and motivating

us to keep going … we couldn’t have done it without you! I would also like to pay tribute to Jean and Stephanie for joining me in this endeavor. Jean, what a great way to spend your 50th birthday – Happy Birthday mon ami!
When we arrived at our destination, it was so heartwarming to see the children clapping and cheering us on. We raised around $536, all of which will go towards substantial rebuilding at the orphanage. Thank you to all who contributed to this worthwhile cause – your donations will be spent wisely.

UP undergraduate dental students aim to please the patient

An excellent case demonstrating the restoration of occlusal caries was recently carried out by UP year 6 student Heng Liching. He used a special procedure called “the stamp technique” to improve the occlusal anatomy of the restoration. The cavity was restored with composite restoration under rubber dam isolation which is considered as the gold standard in restorative dentistry. Most cases of restorative and endodontic treatment are done under rubber dam in the UP Dental Hospital, which adds to the quality of treatment our students can provide. The restoration turned out to be very aesthetic, and the patient was very happy. The cost was only $8.

Home Care Nursing and Occupational Therapy: Effective use of Welfare Equipment Workshop

The Department of Nursing cooperated with Much Mobile Healthcare and sponsored Oxfam to host a workshop entitled “ Home care nursing and occupational therapy: effective use of welfare equipment” on March 11th, 2023 at Hall B, University of Puthisastra. The workshop introduced audiences to the difference between “Home Care” and “Home Health Care”. Furthermore, Much Mobile Healthcare provided job opportunities to audiences for work as home care nursing at Much Mobile Health care with comparative salary. Additionally, Prof. TSUJI Iku, Osaka Health Science University shared a wonderful story of a stroke patient after initiating occupational therapy. Many welfares equipment such as a one hand nail clipper with magnifying glass, bottle opener plastic bottle opener, body wash brush, non-slip mat, and wheelchair have been demonstrated how those will help to assist the physical and mental health of patients in daily life.

DENTISTRY SAYS FAREWELL TO DR KHOM PISAL

This week dentistry farewelled Dr Khom Pisal, Assistant Dean in the Faculty of Dentistry. Dr Pisal first came to UP in 2013 and was appointed as clinic manager. Later she was awarded an Australian Awards Scholarship and during her 2 years in Australia she completed a Master of Public Health (MPH) and a Master of Health Management (MHM). On her return Dr Pisal became a lecturer and thesis coordinator,and was later appointed as Assistant Dean.

Dr Pisal is leaving for a new life with her family in Canada. Dr Pisal over the years has contributed a great deal to UP, and she has helped improve our course in many ways. She will be greatly missed. We wish Dr Pisal all the best in her new life in Canada.

UP STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM HAVING INTERNATIONAL LECTURERS

Last semester UP dental students were taught by several lecturers from overseas, mostly from UiTM and University of Malaya in Malaysia. The lecturers included:
1. Assoc Prof Thomas George and Dr Anand Ramanathan – University of Malaya. They taught courses for year 4 and year 6 students in oral pathology. They are both specialists in oral pathology. Unfortunately Cambodia has no specialists in this field.
2. Professor Massuryalis Ahmad – Prof Mas is from UiTM and is a specialist in Special Needs Dentistry. Cambodia has no specialist in this discipline.
3. Prof Kack Kyun Kim – Seoul National University (retired). Prof Kim has been coming to Cambodia for many years to teach oral microbiology. Part of the course he taught during a visit to Phnom Penh, and the rest he taught on-line. Cambodia has no oral microbiologist.
4. Team of 12 dentists from UiTM – led by Head of Department Dr Noorhaliana Zohdi and assisted by Dr Sarene Saw Jijia. The team presented a series of lecturers on Practice Management for Year 7 students. Students had to make a business plan for a new clinic. They also visited some of the top dental practices in Cambodia as part of the course.

UP GETS APPROVAL FOR MASTERS IN ORTHODONTICS

As the top-ranked university in Cambodia UP has achieved yet another landmark with the Faculty of Dentistry getting approval from the Ministry of Health for their first ministry-recognized postgraduate program in Dentistry.

UP is very pleased to announce that it has received permission from the Ministry of Health to open a Masters’s program in the specialist field of Orthodontics in the near future. This has been planned for several years, and we are very excited to invite applications for the new 3-year program. The Program Director is Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anand Marya, the Head of Orthodontics at UP.

Our aim at UP is again to make this the best program in Orthodontics available in Cambodia, and we shall leave no stone unturned in our efforts to continuously develop this program. The course will be taught by several top orthodontists in Cambodia and some from overseas, including the US, Australia, Malaysia, and South Korea. Most of the training will be carried out here in our UP Dental Hospital; however, there also will be practical sessions at National Pediatric Hospital (to treat cleft lip and palate children) and at Preah Ang Duong Hospital (to treat patients requiring orthodontic treatment prior to orthognathic (jaw) surgery). There will also be opportunities for overseas placements, exchange programs in collaboration with well-known universities, and options to pursue further studies with partner universities. We have already started reaching out to partner universities in other countries to discuss more collaborations in orthodontic research and education to provide our potential residents with the best opportunities.

The Masters in Orthodontics program will help provide a background in the basic sciences underlying orthodontic treatment and instill a critical, independent, problem-solving approach toward clinical orthodontic practice. All Masters’ residents will have opportunities to learn contemporary orthodontic treatment techniques and understand the current thinking relevant to patients’ diagnosis, treatment planning, and clinical management.

We will be providing updates regarding the admissions process very soon. All applicants will be required to sit an entry exam and take an interview. A high understanding of English and an excellent academic record is required. Only dentists who have graduated at least two years ago can apply. UP hopes this will be the best orthodontics course in Cambodia and of an international standard. Our special thanks to the UP Faculty of Dentistry staff, Ms. Rien Samthyda (Registrar), and President Ian Findlay for their support and encouragement.

UP CONGRATULATES DR TAK RANUCH – PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE CAMBODIAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION

UP would like to congratulate Dr Tak Ranuch DDS MSc (Periodontics), Head of Periodontics and Implantology at UP, on being appointed as the future President of the Cambodian Dental Association from 2025-2027. The honor was bestowed at the recent CDA conference where elections for office-bearers were held. Dr Ranuch is highly respected in the dental profession. He has been a keynote speaker at many conferences, has run many courses and workshops for dentists, and is a valued member of our academic team at UP.

UP lecturers in the Faculty of Dentistry are active in many of Cambodia’s dental associations including: the Cambodian Association of Pediatric Dentistry (Dr Yos Chanto is President; Pr Callum Durward, A/Pr Soeun Sopharith and Dr Chhe Phearom committee members); the Dental Implant Society of Cambodia (Dr Nol Rithy President-elect; Dr Chey Sochenda committee member); the Cambodian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (Dr Sam Sovatdy and Dr Cheang Pengleang committee members); the Cambodian Society of Endodontics (Dr Lim Rathanak President-elect; Dr Chum Chenda, Dr Leng Ravuth, Dr Peung Kimsreang, Dr Leng Ravuth, Dr. Huot Kanica, Dr. Chum Khemrak, Dr. Hy Hongthien on the committee). We are glad that UP lecturers are playing such an important role, not only in the education of Cambodia’s future dentists, but also in improving oral health training and services across the country.

UP’s Health Sciences and Biotechnology in the NEE Student Meeting

The Faculty of Health Sciences and Biotechnology, in collaboration with the Academic Affairs and two other faculties, organized a NEE Student Meeting at the University of Puthisastra. The event was held for two days, March 2 and 3, 2023, in the Hall H. The aim of this event is encouraging students who failed in the national entrance exam and sharing information related to the four great potential skills/programs:
1. Associate Degree of Medical Laboratory Technology
2. Bachelor of Science Research
3. Bachelor of Science in Information and Technology
4. Bachelor of English Language, Entrepreneurship, and Employability

At the end of the meeting, all participants had an opportunity to visit and do some fun experiments in the laboratories of the University of Puthisastra under the guidance of Science Research students.

UP Bridging Bachelor Degree of Medical Laboratory Technology Batch 1, Academic Year 2022 – 2023

Currently, UP’s Faculty of Health Sciences and Biotechnology has run a Bridging Bachelor Degree of Medical Laboratory Technology in the new academic year 2022-2023. In this program, students will spend 2 years (4 semesters) completing this program. Generally, classes will be held from Friday to Sunday, on campus or online and clerkship/internships will also be held from Monday to Friday.
For more information about the program: Please contact us via telegram group BBL Information UP (https://t.me/+YeTt4dLginM3ZTFl)

21-pharmacy students are prepared to go to conduct internship at Khon Kean University

Located in the northeastern Thailand, the University of Khon Kaen (KKU) is very prestigious university which brings tremendous outcomes to the development of the region through higher education.

UP is pleased to collaborate with KKU, allowing students from both universities the opportunity to share knowledge, skills, experiences, and attitudes.

Each year, KKU happily welcomes interns from UP during the spring and summer breaks and this summer. 21 UP pharmacy students are doing their one-month internship at KKU in different sectors as:- 13 students in R&D; 8 in community pharmacy. We are sure that our students will learn many things including the hard skills, soft skills, and cultures, so that they later can apply these skills for Cambodia and the whole world.

Eight Medical Students Will Participate in the International Challenge of Emergency Medicine Competition at Kon Kaen University, Thailand

After intensive training, eight year-7 medical students will fly to Thailand to join the ICEM competition, which in 2023 focuses on cardiology emergencies. The students have received both theoretical and simulation skill training since November 2022.

The 5-day competition event will be divided into three rounds. The initial phase will consist of multiple-choice questions, short answer questions and modified essay questions. 8 of the 20 teams from Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia and Japan will then proceed to the semi-finals, consisting of team competition. The four winning teams will proceed to the final round of simulation skills.

During the meeting with Prof. Ian Findlay prior to their departure, the students showed appreciation for his support. In return, the President wished them luck, expecting them to bring back prizes and make UP proud.

Clinical Medicine 5-day Workshop for Year 7 Medical Students

A team of specialists in Internal Medicine, Cardiology and Obstetrics & Gynecology from Canada and USA held a 5-day Workshop for year-7 medical students. Professor Ian Findlay, UP President and Vice-Chancellor, opened the event.

The Workshop consisted of lecturers and simulation practice, and focused on congestive heart failure, ECG, arrythmias, urinary bleeding, eclampsia, among other topics.
The students had to pass a final exam to get a certificate at the end of the Workshop. Students and Faculty are grateful to the specialists who were involved in the Workshop.

Rabies Presentation to UP Staff

Dr. Prom Vireak, Deputy Dean for Clinical Affairs of the Faculty of Medicine, recently gave a presentation about rabies to UP staff.
Here is a summary of the presentation:

1. What is rabies? – Rabies is a fatal but preventable disease. It is caused by the rabid virus, that affects the central nervous system, especially the brain, causing encephalitis.
2. How can the disease spread? The rabid virus resides in the salivary gland of mammals such as pets. The virus can be transmitted through bites or scratches of the rabid animal.
3. What animals are common reservoirs? In many countries, animal reservoirs are dogs, cats, bats, racoons, skunks and foxes. In Cambodia, which is a rabies endemic country, the dog is the most common disease transmitter. A study done in 1998-2007 by the Institute Pasteur du Cambodge found that 95.5% of the cases are due to dogs.
4. What are the symptoms of rabies? There are 3 stages:
a) Prodrome syndrome (2-3 days): paresthesia and itching over the healed bite wound scar, fever, insomnia, muscles pain, restlessness and palpitation.
b) Stage of excitement: the patient develops hyperesthesia and hydrophobia (is afraid of water)
c) Late stage: there are aerophobia (is afraid of air), delusion, hallucination, fly biting and spitting. Once the clinical signs of rabies appear, the patient is going to die, usually within one week.
5. What is the treatment of rabies? – Once symptoms of rabies develop, the treatment is palliative care only. However, before the symptoms, the anti-rabies prophylaxis can be initiated with either rabies vaccines or/and rabies immunoglobulins for both pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
6. What is the pre-exposure prophylaxis? – The rabies vaccine is given before the incident, and it is highly recommended for animal handlers and laboratory workers dealing with rabies virus. PrEP requires 3 doses of rabies vaccine: day 0, day 1, and 21 days later.
7. What is the post-exposure prophylaxis? – Before initiating the anti-rabies treatment, the bite needs to be classified (from less concerning to very concerning incident), and then it can be decided whether to give no rabies vaccine or to give rabies vaccine or vaccine plus rabies immunoglobulins. In any case, a doctor must be consulted. The rabies vaccine can be given via intramuscular injection (5 doses at Day 0, Day 3, Day 7, Day 14 and Day 28) or intradermic injection (2 sites at the same time, Day 0, Day 3 and Day 7).
8. How can the wound by bite or scratch of a suspected rabid animal be treated? – After exposure to the animal, the wound area should be cleaned with soap and flushed with water for 15 minutes or with 70% alcohol. Deep and large wounds should not be sutured.

UYFC-HEYC-UPer one Heart

The UYFC Team of the University of Puthisastra organized the Beyond the Games campaign to promote the 32nd SEA Games and the 12th ASEAN Para Games, which the Kingdom of Cambodia will host. For the first time in history.

Leaders, staff, team members and students of the University of Puthisastra organized a heart-shaped paper folding event under the theme “Heart of UP beating in one rhythm” to break the world record of 1 million heart-shaped paper by There was also the participation of staff and students.

Automated Tissue Processor for BBL Program

Currently, the Laboratory Sciences Department of Faculty of Health Sciences and Biotechnology of University of Puthisastra has installation of material and equipment of Automated Tissue Processor for Cytopathology.

Automated tissue processors are of two main types: tissue-transfer machines and fluid-transfer machines. The tissue processor finds applications in histopathology laboratories to automatically prepare tissue samples for laboratory testing, by fixing, dehydrating, clearing, and infiltrating them with paraffin.

The Cytopathology is a core of required by multiple components of cancer control. A definitive diagnosis of cancer must be made by a pathological examination of suspicious tissue or fluids. Therefore, the Laboratory Sciences Department has well equipped for the Cytopathology course for students study in BBL Program.

UP Marathoner is going to represent Cambodia at the coming SEAGAMES 2023

64 years after becoming one of the six founding members of the regional sports body in 1959, Cambodia finally could host the SEA Games from 5-17 May 2023.
Muyngim ENG, working as a research fellow at the University of Puthisastra got an honorable invitation to run a Marathon (42.195km) in this historical event. Perhaps she is the only female Cambodian who is going to race this distance among other ASEAN countries.Less than two months to go!…
“Together we grow fitter, faster and further”. She has a great pleasure to invite each of you to join this exciting journey with her by running with her virtually or physically.

The weekly training program will be posted in the telegram channel. The more people run, the merrier!
Last week, along with her club, she launched a mini campaign called “RunningWithHer”. We would appreciate if you join this campaign and share the spirit of running by hashtag after each post:
#RunningWithHer, #journeytoseagames, #weruncambodia
For more updates about her and the game, welcome to join the Telegram channel: https://t.me/+EXn4pwW4CRw2MTg1
Strava club: https://www.strava.com/clubs/WeRunCambodia

UP is proud to have a dedicated and sportive staff who plays a great role model for our students and faculties!
While supporting Muyngin on her Marathon journey, we wish her all the best for this coming competition!

DEAN OF FACULTY OF DENTISTRY, HIROSHIMA UNIVERSITY, MAKES COURTESY CALL ON UP

UP has an MOU with HIroshima University. Last week the Dean and several staff from the University called in to meet colleagues from the Faculty of Dentistry at UP. Professor Kotaro Tanimoto and his team are in Cambodia to take part in their annual community field work project in Siem Reap – for the first time since Covid. The Dean expressed his appreciation for the UP students who volunteered in the project, and hoped that reciprocal visits between UP and Hiroshima can continue. Professor Callum raised the possibility of sending one or two students to Hiroshima to join their 4 year international undergraduate program. Prof Tanimoto said they would consider it. Professor Tanimoto said they were keen to send several of their students to UP on an exchange program in the near future.

Three UP dental students from year 5, Tan Bunho, Vann Sokmean and San Sokna, joined the Hiroshima team in Siem Reap for the school outreach program. During the week they provided oral health education and fluoride applications to the children, as well as helping to prepare the children to see the dentist through story telling and fun activities during the break times. The students enjoyed getting to know the Japanese team, who were mainly staff from Hiroshima University. Students from other Cambodian dental schools also participated. The local Cambodian students also took the Japanese team to the temples and to try Cambodian food.

Students and Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia at the University of Puthisastra Participate in International Women’s Day

Students and Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia at the University of Puthisastra participated in the International Women’s Day organized by Soma Group under the theme of Building a Brighter Future.

The event was held on March 6, 2023 with the participation of the following speakers:
1. Lok Chumteav Cham krasna, CEO of Soma Group
2. HE Dr. San Vathana, Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports
3. Ms. Mam Somaly, Founder of AFESIP Cambodia
4. Mrs. Lompech Rithy, General Director of PLERNG KOB

Through the above topics, this program aims to provide knowledge and experience to build a bright social future through the participation of men and women, especially the promotion of gender equality, provide opportunities and encourage women to participate in social work. Soma Group is a local company operating in five key sectors: education, business, agriculture, infrastructure, hospitality and real estate, with 10 subsidiaries and approximately 3,000 employees. In addition to business ventures, Soma Group and its subsidiaries also focus on social work through its value-sharing program Soma Initiative, which was officially launched on August 5, 2020. Focus on three main programs, including education, health, hygiene and environment.