we prioritize collaborative and enriching educational experiences through partnerships with respected institutions both in Thailand and globally. These alliances are key to offering our students top-notch educational opportunities and a comprehensive learning experience.
These partnerships extend beyond academics, supporting music therapy advocacy and societal contributions. We harness the expertise of our alumni, relevant professionals, and faculty to promote music therapy’s importance for health and well-being.
Our program’s commitment to excellence in music therapy education and research is strengthened by these collaborations, reflecting our dedication to growth and community engagement
1.1 Exchange program with LUCA School of Arts, Belgium
Since 2022, the MA in Music Therapy programme at Chulalongkorn University has initiated a highly prestigious exchange program with the Music Therapy Program at the LUCA School of Arts in Belgium. Selected Chula music therapy students have been offered the chance to engage in a semester-long exchange study, accompanied by a designated internship training program. Additionally, LUCA hosted an International Day event, inviting a large group of Chula music therapy students to participate in innovative workshops and intensive experiential learning alongside LUCA’s music therapy students. Chula students also had the chance to tour a well-established music therapy program at the renown KU Leuven University Psychiatry Centre. This venture not only broadened their academic horizons but also offered a glimpse into the practical application of music therapy in diverse settings.
1.2 HiFI Scholarship program: Bumrungrad International Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
The esteemed Bumrungrad International Hospital (BIH) and the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) of Thailand have collaborated to create a highly unique scholarship program. The HiFI scholarship program supports one master’s student in music therapy at Chulalongkorn University, to be trained as a medical music therapist specifically to meet the hospital’s demand. Under the guidance of numerous doctors from BIH and professors from Chula, the team developed the ‘Bumrungrad Music Friend’ program, a music-based psychosocial support program for children awaiting outpatient checkups and vaccinations. With the introduction of this pediatric program, the HiFI team is committed to further create carefully designed music therapy programs for patients with cancer, terminal illnesses, and rehabilitative needs in the near future.
1.3 International Internship Program: University Psychiatric Center (UPC) KU Leuven, Kortenberg, Belgium
At the University Psychiatric Center (UPC) KU Leuven, music therapy interns enhance their clinical skills, focusing especially on the application of improvisational techniques in clinical settings. Music therapy interns get to work wit patients with various psychiatric conditions, including those with psychosis, long-term hospitalized youth, and dementia. The program meticulously guides students in developing the necessary skills and attitudes to become proficient music therapists.
2.1 Clinical Partnership in Thailand (As of Academic Year 2023-2025):
Since music therapy is still in its infancy in Thailand, finding institutions with a well-established system and environment for clinical training is challenging. Therefore, we are extremely fortunate to have clinical partnerships with the following two renowned hospitals that employ full-time music therapists to guide and supervise our students.
2.1.1 Clinical Training Site
1) King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
2) Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
2.1.2 Associate Supervisors
1) Mr. Puchong Chimpiboon
– Music Therapist, Siriraj Hospital
– President, Thai Music Therapy Association
– Commissioner of Clinical Practice Commission, World Federation of Music Therapy
2) Ms. Toungporn Puwajaroonkul
2.2. International Clinical Partnership (As of Academic Year 2023-2025):
To date, the Chula music therapy has received applicants from seven countries, each with varying degrees of local development in music therapy. We have been extremely fortunate to have enthusiastic clinical training partnership institutions from all these countries. Therapists cannot be trained with university education alone, and we are grateful to all our on-site supervisors for their dedication in coaching and guiding our students to develop their clinical skills.
[Country & Institution]
1) China
– Beijing Bo Ai Hospital China Rehabilitation Research Center
– Children’s Hospital of Fudan University
– Tempo Rubato Music Therapy Center
– Wuxi Mental Health Center
2) Indonesia
– Behaviours
– Klinik Utama Bethesda / SLB C Kyriakon School
– Sentra Medika Hospital
3) Malaysia
– The Energy Source Special Education School
– The Learning Connection Care Center
– Oasis Place
– Rehabilitation Centre PERKESO
4) Philippines
– Better with Music PH
– Dev Hub Center for Intervention
– Narra Music Therapy
5) Singapore
– Assisi Hospice
– AWWA School
– Rainbow Centre
– Singapore General Hospital
– St Andrew Community Hospital
6) Taiwan
– In Music We Encounter Music Therapy Center
The ‘Music Therapy Alumni Club of Chulalongkorn University’ was founded in October 2023 by the first batch of alumni from the program. Its objectives are to reeducate alumni for professional development and to promote networking between alumni and current students. Additionally, the club will collaborate with the music therapy program on various projects to promote music therapy in the community. We look forward to their contributions to the music therapy community in Thailand and beyond.
3.1. MTAC Executive Committee (2024-2026):
– Estelle Ng, President
– Pongthipok (Tete) Sootthipong, Vice-President
– Parima (Prim) Sithi-Amnuai, Secretary
3.2 Contact info:
– mt.alumni.cu@gmail.com
– MTAC FACEBOOK: Page Link
As the field of music therapy expands in Thailand, a dynamic and synergistic collaboration among educational institutions is paramount. Chulalongkorn University strives to collaborate with the following educational programs in music therapy to promote cross-institutional learning, share innovative teaching methodologies, and collectively raise the standard of music therapy practice within the region.
4.1 Khon Kaen University, Master of Arts Program in Music Therapy