China-Thailand FETP Joint Academic Exchange Successfully Held

From July 15 to 17, 2026, China CDC (Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine) hosted the China-Thailand Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) Academic Exchange at its South Campus. The event marked the first face-to-face, modular, and systematic academic collaboration between the two national programs. Ma Huilai, Director of the Office of Epidemiology and of the China FETP (CFETP), and Zhang Lijie, Deputy Director of the Office of Epidemiology and of CFETP, represented the Chinese side. Phanthanee Thitichai, Director of the Epidemiology Division at the Thailand Department of Disease Control and Director of the Thailand FETP, led the Thai delegation. Faculty mentors and trainees from both China and Thailand FETP, along with trainees from the Hong Kong FETP, participated throughout the three-day program.

The exchange was designed around the required outputs and core competencies of FETP training, with structured sessions across multiple professional modules, including surveillance data analysis, surveillance system evaluation, thematic epidemiological research, and outbreak investigation. Trainees presented findings spanning infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, influenza, hepatitis B, rabies, and chikungunya, as well as critical public health priorities including antimicrobial resistance and adverse events following immunization (AEFI) surveillance. The selected topics were highly relevant to frontline practice and carried strong applied value. Through trainee presentations, expert questioning, panel reviews, and in-depth discussions, participants focused on improving the quality of field epidemiological investigations, strengthening practical trainee outputs, and optimizing training outcomes. The program also featured comprehensive discussions on FETP workforce development, covering admissions standards, curriculum design, field practicum arrangements, mentor recruitment, and trainee presentation requirements. Both sides shared proven practices and innovative strategies for enhancing program quality and effectiveness.

This inaugural joint exchange consolidated the foundation for regular, long-term, and in-depth cooperation between the two programs, facilitated cross-border public health workforce exchanges, and advanced quality improvements in field epidemiology training systems in both countries. It provides essential human resources support for deepening regional coordination on infectious disease prevention and control and strengthening cross-border public health emergency response capabilities.

Group photo of mentors from China and Thailand