January 11–15, 2026 | Mahidol University, Thailand
From 11 to 15 January 2026, the Faculty of Public Health at Mahidol University welcomed a team from the Indonesian Accreditation Agency for Higher Education in Health (IAAHEH) for an international accreditation survey of its Doctor of Public Health (International Programme). Among the appointed assessors was Prof. Dr. Victor Hoe from the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia, and the Secretary General of the Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health.
Prof. Victor Hoe joined a distinguished panel led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Setya Haksama (Chairperson, Airlangga University) and Prof. Defriman Djafri (Secretary, Andalas University) to undertake a comprehensive evaluation of the programme. The visit was officially opened by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sarawut Thepanondh, Dean of the Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, who expressed the university’s strong commitment to international standards and academic transparency.
A Collaborative and Inclusive Review
Throughout the five-day visit, the assessor team engaged in a series of structured interviews, discussions, and site assessments to evaluate the programme’s quality, relevance, and alignment with IAAHEH accreditation standards. Activities included:
- Introductory sessions and presentations by university leadership
- Interviews with academic staff, students, alumni, and support personnel
- Facility visits to classrooms, laboratories, and community-based teaching sites
- Observations of teaching and learning activities
- Document verification and review of internal quality assurance systems
The assessors noted the high level of preparedness and professionalism demonstrated by Mahidol University’s team, as well as the inclusive approach that involved a wide range of stakeholders. These interactions provided valuable insights into the programme’s real-world impact and responsiveness to evolving public health challenges.
Reflecting on Quality and Collaboration
This accreditation effort reflects an increasing recognition of the need for global benchmarking in public health training. As health systems grow more interconnected, so too must the educational standards that prepare future leaders. The IAAHEH survey not only ensures programme quality and integrity but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement through external validation.
Strengthening Regional Collaboration in Public Health Education
This visit is a testament to Mahidol University’s dedication to maintaining high academic quality and transparency through external peer review. It also reflects the growing regional cooperation among leading Southeast Asian public health institutions to enhance educational excellence and address shared health challenges.
Moreover, the participation of assessors from Indonesia and Malaysia underscores the spirit of regional collaboration in Southeast Asia, where shared challenges in health equity, environmental health, and infectious disease control necessitate coordinated educational strategies.
Acknowledgements
The assessor team expressed its gratitude to Mahidol University’s leadership, faculty, students, alumni, and partners for their active participation and warm hospitality. The visit was also made possible through the support and coordination of the IAAHEH Secretariat.
Article written by Victor Hoe
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