UCL welcomes first cohort of international partner students to study iBSc programmes

UCL and the Chulabhorn Royal Academy have been working together since 2018 to establish a new Undergraduate Doctor of Medicine programme at the Princess Srisavangavadhana College of Medicine (PSCM) in Bangkok, Thailand. PSCM students now have a unique opportunity to undertake an Intercalated Bachelor of Science (iBSc) degree at UCL, before returning to complete their MD programme of study in Thailand. 

During welcome week, UCL staff and students convened to greet the very first cohort of partner international students arriving to study at UCL through the UCL Academic Collaboration with the Chulabhorn Royal Academy. Among the delegation were representatives from the Royal Thai Embassy, including Mr. Nattaphong Sitthichai, Chargé d’Affaires to celebrate this significant achievement for students, CRA and UCL faculty. 

Professor Geraint Rees, UCL Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation and Global Engagement) said: 'I am delighted to welcome our first cohort of 32 partner international students to our UCL community to study an Intercalated BSc programme this year. This activity has been made possible through a long-standing academic collaboration with esteemed colleagues at the Chulabhorn Royal Academy in Thailand. I wish our new students every success on their journey to becoming the clinical academics of tomorrow for Thailand, and I hope that we continue to strengthen this important partnership.'

The UCL iBSc Year

Students will be studying on a range of iBSc programmes covering diverse scientific, clinical and social disciplines across seven faculties. During the welcome event, students shared their own perspectives on the year ahead and the new opportunities that this experience will offer them: 

"I am eagerly looking forward to the incredible learning opportunity of collaborating with UCL Professors. UCL is renowned for its academic excellence and groundbreaking research. To be able to gain insights and firsthand experience from individuals who are pioneers in their respective fields is truly invaluable." Papichaya Vongthongsri 'Beam', student.

"I'm genuinely curious about the unique opinions we all will bring to the table, and I look forward to having profound conversations on the multitude of topics that await us. Additionally, I can't wait to form bonds with my future friends, classmates, and professors, with whom I hope to nurture close relationships as we navigate this academic journey together." Thanatat Wattanatanagorn 'Jo', student

UCL – CRA Academic Collaboration

The work of the Academic Collaboration has drawn on the skills, experience and resources of UCL’s medical education team to ensure the creation of a high-quality, contemporary programme. Faculty from both organisations have worked closely together in curriculum development, teaching and learning, programme management, assessment and quality assurance to support the implementation of a new 7-year undergraduate degree programme which also includes a unique opportunity for successful students to study for one year at UCL. 

Speaking at the event, Professor Ann Griffin, UCL Project Lead for the Academic Collaboration and Deputy Director for UCL Medical School reflected: 'I am delighted our academic collaboration has come to fruition after many years of dedicated work by all parties involved. I want to extend my sincerest congratulations to our new UCL students who join us from the Princess Srisavangavadhana College of Medicine, Thailand. We met at your interviews to medical school and I was, and have continued to be, impressed by your amazing academic and community-orientated achievements. Also, an enormous thank you to colleagues at the Princess Srisavangavadhana College of Medicine and those at UCL. Your dedication and commitment to ensuring the success of this innovative programme has shone through at all stages. I look forward to the next steps and successes of our journey together.'

The activity has been delivered through the UCL Centre for International Medical Education Collaborations (UCL CIMEC) who have been operating since 2013, developing meaningful international partnerships with both new and established organisations. 

Professor Ahmed Rashid, Head of Centre said: 'Our academic collaboration with the Chulabhorn Royal Academy has been a great success and we are very proud to welcome this pioneering first cohort of medical students to UCL. This important landmark reminds us of the extraordinary progress that our partners have made in recent years and the UCL CIMEC team are honoured to have supported this remarkable journey.'

Further information

• UCL Centre for International Medical Education Collaborations
• UCL Medical School
• Princess Srisavangavadhana College of Medicine
• HRH Princess Chulabhorn College of Medical Sciences
• UCL's partnership with Thailand
• Royal Thai Embassy
• Main Image: The first cohort of future CRA doctors arrives at UCL to study a UCL iBSc programme; welcomed by Professor Geraint Rees, Professor Ann Griffin, Professor Ahmed Rashid, Mr. Nattaphong Sitthichai (Royal Thai Embassy) and the UCL Centre for International Medical Education Collaborations (UCL CIMEC) team.