On 31 August 2026, JPMC College of Health Sciences (JCHS) welcomed home four students and one lecturer following their two-week Student Exchange Programme in Thailand with Mahidol University, Ramathibodi School of Nursing. The participants safely returned to Brunei Darussalam on Saturday, 29 August 2026, after completing an enriching programme of academic, clinical and cultural experiences.
Throughout the exchange, the JCHS participants were given valuable opportunities to experience nursing education and healthcare practices in Thailand. Their programme began with a warm welcome at Ramathibodi School of Nursing, where they met fellow international participants and took part in introductory and Thai language activities.
As part of their clinical and academic exposure, the participants visited the Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute, where they toured healthcare facilities, including paediatric wards and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). They also visited the Community Center Museum and experienced the use of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technology.
The students later participated in AR and VR-based learning activities involving physical assessment, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and triage. Alongside their clinical learning, they joined intercultural presentations where participants shared information about their respective institutions, food, beliefs and cultures.
Their experience also included an orientation on organ transplantation at Ramathibodi Hospital, where they learned about different types of organ transplants, including heart, lung, liver, pancreas and kidney transplantation. The participants were also introduced to facilities and processes within the hospital, including an orientation held in an operating theatre conference room.
Further learning opportunities included a seminar on palliative care in Thailand, covering care across primary, district and provincial healthcare levels. Participants also observed psychiatric healthcare facilities and learned about Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a treatment used in the management of selected psychiatric conditions.
A visit to Mahidol University’s main campus in Salaya provided another valuable learning experience. The participants explored its academic facilities, simulation wards and library while taking part in practical learning activities. Their time at the campus was complemented by opportunities to experience Thai culture, visit local landmarks and enjoy sightseeing.
During the later stages of the programme, participants gained clinical exposure involving patients with laryngeal cancer and trauma, learning about speech therapy, physical therapy and multidisciplinary approaches to patient care. They also attended lectures on post-stroke rehabilitation and were introduced to innovative rehabilitation equipment developed at Mahidol University.
The programme concluded with further learning in pain management and surgical care, as well as cultural presentations by the international participants. These activities provided an opportunity to reflect on their experiences while celebrating the different cultures represented throughout the exchange.
Beyond the clinical and academic knowledge gained, the two-week Student Exchange Programme allowed the JCHS participants to broaden their perspectives, experience Thai culture, establish new friendships and learn alongside students and healthcare professionals in an international environment.
JCHS is proud to welcome its students and lecturer home and looks forward to seeing them apply the knowledge, experiences and perspectives gained from their time in Thailand throughout their continued academic and professional journeys.
