Special Report: Asian Young Dietitian Network
Introduction of AYDN activities: Participation at the Thai Dietetic Association Conference
F.A.Z.Firouse1, Nur Ayu Ruhmayanti2, Sumaya Islam3, Yen Ngoc Ma4
1

Asiri Surgical Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka
2
Indonesia Dietitian Association, Indonesia
3
Health and Hope Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
4
Hanoi Medical University Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
Thai Dietetic Association (TDA) held the annual
conference on April 28th-30th 2024 at Bangkok,
Thailand, marking TDA's 50th anniversary, was aspecial event themed “Application of Diet Therapy into
Lifestyle Medicine: What We Should Know.” Itprovided an excellent opportunity for engagement withleading dietitian practitioners and academics. The

conference was attended by representatives fromThailand's Health Ministry, the Asian Federation of
Dietetic Associations, the Japan Dietetic Association,and dietitian representatives from various Asian
countries. The Asian Young Dietitian Network(AYDN) had the honor to be invited in this important
event for TDA.

Fig 1. Photo of AYDN members at the Thai Dietetic Association Annual Conference 2024
The AYDN is a group of young dietitians fromvarious Asian countries pledged to work
collaboratively to enhance the status of dietitians ineach country and the recognition of societies towards
dietitians’ careers. The network was establishedfollowing the workshop “Let’s Talk about the Future ofYoung Dietitians in Asia” at the Asian Congress ofDietetics in Yokohama, Japan, in 2022. With concern
about the future of dietitians, Prof. Shigeru Yamamoto
from Jumonji University yearns to establish a coregroup of dietitians and nurture them to become thefuture leaders of dietitians in the region. With thesupport of Ajinomoto Co., Inc., on December 1, 2023,

a successful kick-off meeting was held in Tokyo, Japan,
which brought 20 dietitians from 12 Asian countries. In
the meeting, all members of AYDN agreed to work
towards the three main objectives: 1) Sharing
information and experiences about participants’country nutritional issues and experiences they have
which could contribute to other participants, 2)
Conducting researches and publish them to an academic
journal (such as Asian Journal of Dietetics) to increaseskills in investigation and research to find the problems
and solutions in a logical thinking. 3) Carry out
webinars and workshops to increase scientific and nonscientific knowledge.

*To whom correspondence should be addressed:
youngdietitiannetwork@gmail.com

39

In 2024, a total of 21 AYDN members participatedin the TDA conference. They were from from
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia,
the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, andVietnam. AYDN members, dressed in their traditional
clothing, showcased their cultural heritage, unified intheir goal to advance dietetics.
In the opening ceremony, Prof. Chanida Pachotikarn
from Mahidol Unviversity and president of the Thai
Dietetic Association, delivered the presidential speech,
emphasizing the importance of updated nutrition
education and the future of dietitians. On the other
hand, various organizations and institutes presented
research awards to encourage more research in the
dietetic field. Prof. Shigeru Yamamoto's guest lectureon "What Dietitians Need for the Future: Evidencebased Dietetics" highlighted the use of technology andcreative cooking in daily practice, urging dietitians topublish more researches, especially for those whoworks in hospital. The challegen is not easy, however,
it is a way to enhance the respect dietitians work.
Goal of AYDN symposium
The 50th anniversary of the TDA marked asignificant milestone with the symposium section heldby the AYDN, themed "Exploring the Landscape of
Nutrition and Dietetic Training Program: A
Comprehensive Study Among Asian Young Dietitians
Network Member Countries." The symposiumcommenced with Ms. Nguyen Thu Trang from Vietnam
and Ms. Andrea Wakita (Ajinomoto Co., Inc.)
introducing the establishment of AYDN and unveilingthe annual plan for 2024 to 2026. Esteemed speakers,
including Mr. George from Malaysia, Mr. Tzu Yun Cha
from Taiwan, and Mr. Prem Kumar from Bhutan,
highlighted the symposium's three primary objectives:
assessing the diversity of curriculums and educational

pathways, examining practical training opportunities
for nutrition and dietetics students, and identifying
strengths and areas for improvement in AYDN member
countries' degree programs to become a registereddietitian. With the presence of several senior Asiandietitians at the conference, AYDN successfullycommunicated its mission to the participating young
dietitians and garnered valuable insights and support
from senior dietitians regarding the budding AYDN
network.
Acknowledgement
On behalf of AYDN, we express our deepest
gratitude to TDA for the invitation and kind hospitality.
We are thankful for the opportunity to present our
research at such a significant event. Our appreciation
extends to Professor Shigeru Yamamoto of Jumonji
University for his long cherished dream, vision anddedication, which made our participation possible. We
also thank Jumonji University for their support andAjinomoto Co., Inc. for their sponsorship, enabling
such as our face-to-face meeting at the TDA
conference. This support is vital for our growth, and weare committed to continue our collaboration to reach thegoals of the network.
REFERENCES
1. Asian Nutrition and Food Culture Research Center,
Jumonji University and Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Global
Communication Department. Purpose of the AsianYoung Dietitian Network. Organizer. Asian Journalof Dietetics 5: 141. 2023.
2. TT. Nguyen, A. Wakita. Special Report: AsianYoung Dietitian Network. Asian Journal of
Dietetics 5: 141 – 145. 2023.

40

Report (Bangladesh) on the Asian Young Dietitians Network Meeting in Thailand
Sumaya Islam1*, Tapati Saha2
1

Health and Hope Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
SQUARE Hospitals Ltd., Dhaka, Bangladesh

2Introduction
AYDN was established on December 1, 2023 withthe general objective to elevate the status of Dietitians
in Asian countries. We desire for such a society where
people will trust dietitians, recognize, and respect theirroles. To achieve that goal we have to take proper
initiatives, our gathering in Thailand was a step towards
the goal. We would like to extend our deepest gratitude
to TDA for inviting us in their remarkable 50th
anniversary. It was a great opportunity to meet, greet

and exchange ideas among young dietitians of 11 Asian
countries under the umbrella of AYDN. We also got therare opportunity to receive the affection and valuable
directions from the respected mentors and seniorDietitians.
We also express our sincere gratitude to Professor
Yamamoto for establishing AYDN and nurturing us
towards success and honor. Moreover, our heartfelt
gratitude goes to Ajinomoto Company for sponsoring
us which is crucial for our development and growth.

Fig 1. Introducing ourselves and sharing Greetings to TDA members and participants(Tapati Saha: Left, Sumaya Islam: Right)
Personal Reflections
The warm hospitality and generosity of TDA andThai people have truly touched our hearts. From themoment we arrived we were greeted with open arms
and treated with utmost kindness that gave us a homely
and festive feeling. Thailand has a very rich foodculture and its street food is really exemplary. Enjoying
Thai cuisine together was a great experience for us
specially Tom Yum Soup, Mango Sticky Rice with
Coconut cream dessert, Rambutan and Dragon fruit.
Thai food is unique, tasty, simple, easy to digest &healthy. We also realized that people of Thailand
maintain religious ethics and respect others religious
norms, it is really heart soothing and comfortable for allof us. The TDA Conference itself was enlightening andthe inspiring presentation from esteemed figures suchas Prof. Yamamoto, Madam Mary Easaw, Dr.Teiji
Nakamura, Dr. Chwang Leh Chii, Asst. Prof. Dr
Chanida, and Senior Dietitians showed us the next pathof Asian Dietetic Profession and guided us about what
we need for the future.
While delivering his special lecture, Professor
Yamamoto explained with examples what we dietitians
need to think about what we should do so that theimportance of Dietitians role is recognized. With his
wisdom, he pointed out what are our challenges andhow we can overcome it. His lecture is eye opening andvery motivational for us. He showed a figure about theauthors of journal articles in clinical nutrition,
unfortunately there are very few Dietitians as authors.

*To whom correspondence should be addressed:
sumaya.shoma@gmail.com

41

Fig 3. AYDN members enjoying dinner together

Fig 4. Less publications from faculty members of dietetic course and important messages from Prof. Yamamoto
We must focus in this area and try our best tochange the scenario. He also mentioned that we needproper education for research. Prof.Yamamoto believes
that the cause of obesity is simple. It is just the balanceof energy intake and output despite this simple fact, nocountry in the world has succeeded in controllingobesity rates. Controlling obesity is a broad andcomplex subject encompassing dietetics, nutrition,
medicine, physiology, biochemistry, psychology,sociology, economics & philosophy. This means thatwithout the proper education for research, it is difficultfor dieticians to do research. He also showed examples
of Dietitians research.One example was modifying theschool lunch. With almost the same price how more
nutrients were added in the school lunch and it became
healthy. Moreover the children liked there new foodand ate with smiling face. The other one was use of fullautomatic rice cooker which is certainly food forthought.
Madam Mary Easaw’s passion to her profession
inspired us. Among many important messages shehighlighted on culinary skills which is very essential for
dietitians. She encouraged to modify traditional andfestival recipes in healthy ways. We also got some
precious Take Home Messages, like, collaboration with
continuity, devotion with empowerment andprofessionalism with qualification from Dr. Chwang
Leh Chii.

Dr. Teiji Nakamura motivated dieticians and
AYDN members to continue pursuing excellence in the
nutrition and dietetics field. Dr.Nakamura wants tounify the Asian dietetics system with ICDA standards
and also focuses on quality assurance by training
courses for dieticians and expansion of postgraduate
education for dieticians. Moreover, he highlighted
sustainable healthy diets, body, and planet friendly dietwith the emphasis on reduction of environmental
impact. If the advices provided from our mentors canbe implemented, there will be a new era for dieticians
and dietetics.
Moreover, we also gained lots of valuable ideas
from our AYDN member friends, because they are
working as dietitians in diverse settings, which is not
yet common in our country. For example, dietitians
working in community level, schools etc. andcontributing in the various areas of the society. We are
hopeful that we can also implement these ideas in ourcountry and our working places.
Bachelor of Nutrition program
In Bangladesh our Bachelor of Nutrition Program
is not unified in all the institutions. However we cannotice gradual improvement in the curriculum. There
are strengths and weaknesses as well. About thestrengths, we have 4 year long BSC programme which
consist of coursework combined with Hospital/NGO,42

Food Industry internships. The curriculum focuses on
Research methods, Research project, Field assignment.
Furthermore our present curriculum includes new areas
like food technology, We have many areas of
improvement also.
In Bangladesh we need certified programmes in
specialized areas. The curriculum does not include
dietician’s training programme. Moreover number ofProfessors or faculty members who are dietitians is verylow.
Insights gained and Action Plan to Foster AYDN in
the Future
TDA was an excellent learning platform fordieticians. From our wise mentors we are inspired that
we should be devoted to our work, acquire several
essential skills, we have to be innovative and do quality
research work and publication. We should think moreto understand our shortcomings and accept thechallenges for our professional growth. We should
expand our network and learn from each other.
We have learned a lot from our fellow AYDN
members too, as they have knowledge and skills on
various areas of dietetics. They possess soundknowledge on school lunch, culinary skill, analyticalskill, nutrition for autistic children etc. We can learn
from each other and share the ideas in our country so

Fig 5. Modifying traditional snacks to healthy snacks
by Madam Mary Easaw

that our people also get these services at wide level. For
example, school healthy tiffin or lunch program is not
regular and does not cover vast area in Bangladesh, wewill try to start these programs in various schools, it willcontribute in the physical and mental development of
our school children.
Currently AYDN is assessing the BSc in Nutrition
curriculum among the AYDN member countries. The
assessment provides a comparative scenario, where we
can observe the diversity and understand the strengths
and weaknesses of the education system of different
member countries. From the research result eachcountry can find out their area of improvement. For
example, there is no national examination for graduates
to be registered dietitian in Bangladesh; we have towork in this area.
For the development of AYDN, firstly we have tolove our profession by heart. Strong bonding andunderstanding among AYDN members is also
important. Furthermore, we have to earn necessary
knowledge and skills. We should emphasize on
necessary research work in dietetics and publish quality
research work. We believe that if we work together withdetermination success is not far

Fig 6. No opportunity for Graduates to be Registered
Dietitians in Bangladesh yet

43Report (Bhutan) on the Asian Young Dietitians Network Meeting in Thailand
Prem Kumar Neopanay1*, Chanda Dhungyel2, Hari Prasad Pokhrel3
1

Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, National Medical Services,
Ministry of Health, Bhutan
2
Wangdi Hospital, National Medical Services, Ministry of Health, Bhutan
3
Department of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Bhutan

Introduction
The Young Asian Dietitian Network (AYDN) was
founded in the beginning 2022 and has been just able toconduct some online meetings to strengthen the
network amongst the dietetic professionals in themember countries (11 Asian countries). The network
aims to establish a reliable and accessible platform forexchange of knowledge, skills and jointly conduct
researches in the areas of Nutrition and Health.
The AYDN have been doing a comparative study on
the curriculum of Dietetic training programs across themember nations and the same was presented during the50th Anniversary of Thai Dietetic Association(TDA)which was heldin Bangkok from 28 to 30th April,2024.
The opportunity to introduce and meet different
professionals among the network at such an establishedforum was only possible with the generous support
from TDA and Ajinomoto. We were invited to attend
the 50th TDA anniversary meet and travel was
supported by Ajinomoto Company’s. Professional
guidance and support from esteemed Professor
Yamamoto was instrumental in making a meeting a
success as he was involved in securing financial support
and logistic arrangement.

We could also learn so much insights bothprofessionally and personally from the presentations
made by scholars like Prof. Yamamoto, Madam Mary,Dr. Teiji Nakamura, Prof. Chanida and of courses fromall other esteemed presentations on latest advancementsin the field of diet and nutrition for the global
population. The insights gained especially in the areasof diet and nutritional research enabled us to engage inclinical researches at our work places once we get backto the country respective work places.

Personal Reflections
Initially the Bhutanese team was a bit apprehensive
as we have not travelled much to Bangkok and have
known Thai people but to our surprise we found almost
all the Thai people we encounter were very humble,
loyal and friendly that has given us much confidence
and added comfort during our stay there. Besides that,
TDA in particular was found so supportive andconsiderate in accommodating and accepting all ourneeds particularly to do with attending meeting andletting us to introduce AYDN and lastly in showcasing
our work done thus far to all the attendees of TDA
meeting. On the other note, it was very good to see that
Thailand has very rich dietary diversity extending fromsea foods to seasonal fruits and vegetables.

Action Plan to Foster AYDN in the Future
Meeting at Thailand, Bangkok was an eye opening
for all of us (Bhutanese) as we have hardly attended
such regional meetings/ conferences on diet andnutrition alone, that too organized by the dietetic
professionals. The very meeting enabled us to exchange
information on dietetic practices across member
countries and it also served a great platform forexchange of knowledge and skills amongst the fellow
dietitians. The meeting and the presentation particularly
by AYDN on curriculum comparative study, for Bhutan
it equipped us to go for the best dietitian training
programs practiced in countries like Thailand, Malaysia,
Japan and Philippines when in future Bhutan aspires tostart training programs for dietitians.

Bachelor of Nutrition program
Currently Bhutan does not have any
institute/college/ university offering any level of dietand nutrition training. All the Dietitians working in the
country have mostly completed bachelors in Nutrition
and Dietetics from India, Thailand and a few from othercountries. In Bhutan, dietitians are regulated by
Medical and Health Professionals Council, a bodyfurther governed by Bhutan Qualifications andProfessionals Certification Authority functioning under
the Ministry of Education and Skills Development,
Royal Government of Bhutan. No dietitians are allowed
to practice, without getting registered with the council
be it in the academia or in the clinical setups.

*To whom correspondence should be addressed:
pkumar@jdwnrh.gov.bt

44

Report (India) on the Asian Young Dietitians Network Meeting in Thailand
Naaznin Husein
Freedom Wellness Management, India
Introduction
The Young Asian Dietitian Network (AYDN),
established in early 2023, embarked on a mission tostrengthen the ties among dietetic professionals
across 11 Asian countries. Through online meetings,
AYDN aims to foster a platform for the exchange ofknowledge, skills, culinary, cultural habits, andcollaborative research in the domains of Nutrition
and Health. The first successful study was of
Cuisine and food culture understanding, Dietitian's
presence in the community, and an overview of
Diseases in the country presented in Japan on
December
2023.
The
Secondinitiative
AYDN includes a comparative study on the
curriculum of dietetic training programs acrossmember nations. This study culminated in apresentation at the 50th Anniversary of the Thai
Dietetic Association (TDA) in Bangkok from April
28th to 30th, 2024.

advancements in diet and nutrition research. These
learnings not only broadened our professional
horizons but also inspired us to engage in clinicalresearch upon our return. Easy to execute research
proposal with significant impacts on communities
was a great learning, One particular example that I
want to elaborate on is a research study quoted by
Dr Yamamoto-Where he explained the change inform of cutting vegetables from coarse to fine andsmaller pieces and easy to chew for young school
going children greatly increased consumption,
making the meal enjoyable -hence no wastage andbetter nutritional status among school children.
Study on Bachelor of Nutrition Program ofdifferent countries.
Every member nation representative presented theirunique data of Bachelor programs. It encompassed
Subjects of Basic Science and Nutrition. Also
Number of hours and credits devoted to subjects inthe syllabus. The study also evaluated Trainers, andinstructors- specifically scientists, clinical dietitians,
food service managers, food technologists, Nurses,
Doctors, and others.The study also attempted tounderstand the role of Regulation by the Medicaland Health Professionals Council standards set by
the country Qualifications and Professionals
Certification Authority, mandating registration forpractice in academic and clinical settings. In India,
the Dietetic Association is under the Allied HealthCouncil of the government.This was an interesting
activity as we realized that every Institute even in
India had varied and unique subjects and Syllabus.
Lack of Standardization was seen across curriculum
across member nations.

Acknowledgments
We as AYDN are in deep appreciation for Professor
Yamamoto's guidance. He continues to play apivotal role in ensuring the success of the AsianYoung Dietitian Networking enabling unity,
Friendship, Scientific exchange, and Cultural andCulinary Understanding among members from
Asian Countries. The generous support from
Ajinomoto to propel AYDN from its inception ishighly appreciated. 50th.Unmatched hospitality was
truly.TDA anniversary provided an invaluable
opportunity for AYDN to showcase its work andinteract with professionals from diverse
backgrounds. The deep dive into Thai Cuisine,
culture,and
Hospitality
washighlyappreciated.TDA's support in accommodating ourneeds and facilitating introductions enhanced oursense of belonging

Action Plan to Foster AYDN in the Future
The TDA anniversary catalyzed future endeavors
within AYDN. The exchange of information on
dietetic practices among member countries
highlighted the need for continued collaboration.
AYDN's presentation on curriculum comparison
provided valuable insights for India’s futureendeavors in establishing dietitian training programs,
drawing from best practices in countries likeThailand, Malaysia, Japan, and the Philippines. In
conclusion, the 50th TDA anniversary was atransformative experience, reaffirming AYDN's
commitment to advancing the field of dietetics inAsia through collaboration, knowledge exchange,
and collective growth

Personal Reflections: The experience in Bangkok
was enriching on both professional and personalfronts. Our Thai colleagues were extremely humble,
friendly, and immaculate in the organization leading
to seamless learning. Moreover, Thailand's richdietary diversity left a lasting impression, offering
insights into regional nutrition practices. The
presentations by esteemed scholars like Prof.
Yamamoto, Madam Mary Esow, Dr. Teiji
Nakamura, Dr Chawng Leh Chii, and Prof. Chanida
provided valuable insights into the latest*To whom correspondence should be addressed:naazninh@gmail.com.

45

Report (Indonesia) on the Asian Young Dietitians Network Meeting in Thailand
Nur Ayu Ruhmayanti1, Achmed Forest Khan2, Wita Rizki Amelia3, Ishak Halim Octawijaya 4*
1

Politeknik Kemenkes Gorontalo, Gorontalo, Indonesia
2
CV GSB, Samarinda, Indonesia
3
Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National Central Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
4
School of Nutrition and Dietetics, Kanagawa University of Human Services, Yokosuka, Japan
Introduction
To mark a significant milestone, the 50th
anniversary of the Thai Dietetic Association (TDA), theAsian Young Dietitian Network (AYDN) participatedin a series of events organized by the TDA. Among thetwenty AYDN members who attended the events heldin Bangkok, Thailand, at the end of April 2024, two
Indonesian representatives, Achmed Forest Khan and
Nur Ayu Rahmayanti, actively participated in the
symposiums, the AYDN meeting, and other events.
This event served as an excellent platform for Asiandietitians and Thai dietitians to foster mutual
understanding and cooperation. It was particularly
fruitful in sharing insights on nutrition and dietetics
education at the undergraduate level in Asian countries.
The event also facilitated a discussion session for the
young dietitians to strategize future activities of AYDN.
We would like to thank the TDA for their invaluable
support in making this event possible. We also sincerely
appreciate the generous sponsorship from AjinomotoCo., Inc. Last but not least, we would like to express our
sincere thanks to Prof. Shigeru Yamamoto of Jumonji
University for his unwavering dedication and support
since the inception of AYDN. Your contributions havebeen instrumental in our journey.
Personal Reflections
One of the event's highlights was a thoughtprovoking lecture by Prof. Shigeru Yamamoto ofJumonji University, who shared insights on the dietary
standards of Japan, as well as the challenges andopportunities faced by dietitians in Japan. His lecture
included a practical example of food modification,
where several food ingredients were added to school
children's lunch menus to enhance their nutritional
value. This modification, it is hoped, will lead to
improved academic performance among school
children without significantly increasing the menu cost.
All the presenters delivered their material withoutstanding clarity and received high praise from theentire audience and all the parties involved in the seriesof activities commemorating the TDA. AYDN
Meetings are usually held online, but on this occasion,
they were held onsite. On this occasion, we discussed
the follow-up to the delivery of study results from thedietitian education system of each AYDN member
country. After this activity, it is hoped that all AYDN
*To whom correspondence should be addressed:
halim-svw@kuhs.ac.jp

members will be directed to convey the study resultsback to the relevant parties in their respective countries
to become discussion material to improve the quality of
dietitian education in each AYDN member country.
AYDN's activities continue to enhance the reputation of
dietitians, which is in line with the primary goal of
AYDN. For the next step, we will discuss the legal
system and its application to the world of work for
dietitians. On that occasion, we also agreed on theofficial logo for AYDN and the management structureof AYDN, which consists of a coordinator and secretary
as well as other supporting roles so that AYDN can run
better and provide more significant benefits to theprogress of the Asian Dietitian profession, especially
AYDN member countries.
Together with AYDN Thai members, TDA andAjinomoto Co., Inc. have provided us with the warmest
hospitality. Our members have gratefully enjoyed thehalal Thai cuisine, the beautiful scenery, and the richculture of Thailand during our stay in Bangkok. With
the AYDN members from other countries, we haveshared the diverse Asian culture during ourcompanionship. Together, we celebrated not only the50th anniversary of TDA but also the eclectic culture ofAsia.
We were deeply inspired by Prof. Yamamoto's
dedication and passion, the Thai dietitians' diverse
perspectives, and the innovative ideas shared by the
AYDN members. This experience has reinforced ourbelief in the importance of international collaborationand knowledge sharing in advancing the field ofdietetics in Asia.
Bachelor of Nutrition program
We collect data on dietitian education based on
regulations from the Association of Indonesian Higher
Education Institutions for Nutrition (AIPGI) as areference for universities providing dietetic educationand the Association of Higher Education Institutions for
Vocational Nutrition in Indonesia (AIPVOGI) as areference for vocational colleges providing education
for dietitians in Indonesia. After holding discussions
with representatives from other countries, it was agreed
that the data from Indonesia used dietitian education atuniversities ranging from undergraduate education toprofessional dietitian education1. There are differencesin the undergraduate education system based on the
AIPGI and AIPVOGI references; however, dietitian
professional education is similar to the professional46

education administration system based on these two
references.
Among the 118 universities that provide Bachelor of
Nutrition education and nine institutions providing
professional dietitian education in Indonesia, an
institution was selected as a reference for the Bachelorof Nutrition and professional dietitian education

curriculum. A curriculum example of a Bachelor of
Nutrition education was obtained from Brawijaya
University, under the Ministry of Education, Culture,
Research, and Technology (Kementerian Pendidikan,
Kebudayaan, Riset, dan Teknologi)2. For professional
dietitian education, the curriculum of Makassar Health
Polytechnic of the Ministry of Health was referred to.

Fig 1. Halal dining and heartfelt hospitality of the Thai Dietetic Association

Fig. 2. Breathtaking scenery of Bangkok we enjoyed with young dietitian fellows of Asia
Indonesia's undergraduate nutrition education
curriculum has approximately 150-175 credits forundergraduate programs and professional education for
dietitians. Each credit is equivalent to 170 minutes andconsists of theory (onsite), practice, independent
learning, or other forms of learning. The professional
dietitian education curriculum comprises 26 practicalcredits, equivalent to 1032 practical hours in one year47

of dietetic internship education (2 semesters). The
duration of the dietetic internship hours exceeds the
500-hour standard set by the International
Confederation of Dietetics Association (ICDA)3.
Several courses are also the focus of our discussion.
In Indonesia's Bachelor of Nutrition curriculum, there
are still many general courses that students must take.
On the one hand, several nutrition courses are elective
courses, such as food microbiology, sports nutrition,
nutrition program planning, and other elective courses,
while in different countries are core courses inundergraduate nutrition education. This will be one of
the things that needs to be discussed with nutrition
education organizers in Indonesia.
Teaching resources in Indonesia are diverse. The
teaching staff consists of nutrition staff themselves,both dietitians and nutritionists, doctors, nurses,
midwives, environmental health, and public health, andthe teaching staff may come from outside the field of
science, such as science, food technology, and eventeaching staff from the legal field are also covered
inside it. As for the professional education program(dietetic internship), all clinical instructors come from
dietitians for clinical and public health programs. For
food service management programs, there are otherstaff from food technology, human resource
management, catering services, and nutrition and foodservices entrepreneurs.
Action Plan to Foster AYDN in the Future
For instance, we discussed the extent of practicaltraining in dietetics education, the need for an updated
curriculum reflecting the latest research, and the role oftechnology in enhancing nutrition and dietetic
education corresponding to nutrition issues in Asia. In
Indonesia, improving nutrition and dietetic educationmust address the needs of different communities acrossthe archipelago. We must enhance the curriculum toequip our graduates, the future nutritionists anddietitians, with skills for local nutritional interventions.
In the future, we suggest that AYDN organize more
symposiums, workshops, and exchange programs to
improve its members' knowledge and skills. We also
aim to strengthen our collaboration with other dietetic
associations and organizations to promote the field ofdietetics in Asia. We hope that activities like this cancontinue and produce the best ideas to increase thecompetence of young dietitians worldwide, especially
young dietitians in Asia.

REFERENCES
1. Kolegium Ilmu Gizi Indonesia (KIGI), DPP
Persatuan Ahli Gizi Indonesia (PERSAGI),
Asosiasi Institusi Pendidikan Tinggi Gizi
Indonesia (AIPGI). Naskah Akademik
Pendidikan Profesi Dietisien (Academic
Manuscriptfor
DietitianProfessional
Education). KIGI, PERSAGI, AIPGI. 2021.
2. Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine,

3. Brawijaya University. Pedoman Pendidikan
Department Education Guidelines Academic
Jurusan Gizi TA. 2020/2021 (Nutrition Year
2020/2021). Department of Nutrition, Facultyof Medicine, Brawijaya University. 2020.
4. International Confederation of Dietetic
Associations (ICDA). Dietitians-nutritionists
around the World: Their Education and theirWork. ICDA. 2016.

48

Report (Japan) on the Asian Young Dietitians Network Meeting in Thailand
Risako Okuyama1
1

Graduate School of Aomori University Health and Welfare, Aomori, JapanAt the symposium held at the Thai Dietetic
Conference in Thailand, the Asia Young Dietitian
Network (AYDN) introduced a comparative study of
dietitian academic and training programme from themembers’ countries. There were differences in the
programmes among countries, and it was able to findadvantages and disadvantages in each country. Throughthe gathering of AYDN’s members in Thailand, thegoal was to shareing and deepen the education systemof each country to understand the current situation to
improve the education system of each country in the
future.
At the the TDA conferences, we it was able to listen
to Prof. Shigeru Yamamoto's lecture (Jumonji
University) about “What dietitians need for the future:
Researches at their workplace”. The author agree thatJapanese university system for dietitians do not placeemphasis on investigation of methology. However, thestudy of dietitians in their workplaces introduced by
Prof. Yamamoto was very interesting. One of theexample was the cooking area for the preparation ofschool lunch with the incorporation of new techologies
to improve dietitians’ work environment in Japan andanother example was the challenge for dietitians from
Vietnam to increase variety of vegetables and othernutrious foods added in school lunch meals keeping a
low cost. These cases were published in an academic
journal in order to spread to other colleges theinformation which would be very useful because it has
many similarities with the problems faced by otherdietitians in the world. Unfortunately in Japan, theresearches are only reported within a paticularcommunity or region and there are few opportunities torefer them. Therefore, the author believe that deititians
should disseminate the results of their researches
outside the community.
On the other hand, during the conference, it waspossible to interact with the members of AYDN, which
was very inspiring. The sharing of educational
programs from various countries through AYDN
activities would help to identify differences between
own and other countries, and providean opportunity toreconsider our the educational programs for the next
generation of dietitians. Furthermore, in countries that
do not yet have an established dietitian system, it may
help to create educational programs. By cooperating
and working together in the network, it is possible tocontribute not only in Japan but also in Asia as a whole
for a better academic system. Lastly, but not the least,
the author would like to acknowledge to the warmth
welcome and the hospitality of Thai Dietetic
Association (TDA) for giving the change to be present*To whom correspondence should be addressed:
1714005@ms.auhw.ac.jp

in the conference and to Jumonji University for the
preparation of the trip and the support and valuablecomments from Prof. Shigeru Yamamoto to guide the
AYDN and the sponsor from Ajinomoto Co., Inc. This
trip allows to the author to experience the treat of
dietitians of other countries, such as the participants of
TDA, and also to experience the food culture ofThailand, such as the “Khow niew ma-muang”, which
combine cold sticky rice, coconut milk and ripe mango.
Event that it was sweet, it was refreshing to eat when it
was around 40 celcius degree in Thailand. In Japan, it
is common to combine rice with sweet beans, but notwith fruits, which made this dish interesting.

Fig 1. Khow niew ma-muang
Bachelor of Nutrition program
Through the discussions at AYDN, it was able toidentify the characteristics of Japan's dietitian training
programme. Japan's dietitian training programme has ageneral framework, but not in detail comparing withother countries. Therefore, the number of faculty
members and the types of courses offered differ fromuniversity to university in Japan. The fact that
educational programme are not defined in detail is astrength of the Japanese educational programme.
In Japan, dietitians work in a wide range of
workplaces, including not only hospitals, but also
public health centers, private institutions, schools, andrestaurants. Therefore, the flexibility of the curriculum
allows students to learn about matters in the field thatinterest the undergraduate students while acquiring thenecessary knowledge as a dietitian. Another strength isthe curriculum to obtain the nutrition teacher's license.
A nutrition teacher is a position that combines thequalities of both, a dietitian and a teacher. The nutrition
teacher system began in Japan in 2005. This licenceallows dietitians to play a central role in promoting
nutrition education in school. The curriculum for49

nutrition teachers includes various subjects such as
child development, psychology, and educational
methods. On the other hand, one of the weakness ofJapan's dietitian training programs is the short time forpractical training comparing to other countries. One of
the reasons is the busy schedules of dietitians in theirworkplace. When it comes to accepting training
students, dietitians have to supervise the students inaddition to their regular tasks. However, it is not only aproblem in Japan that dietitians are busy. Therefore, weshould learn more about the situation from othercountries to improve the Japan's dietitian training
programme.
Action Plan to Foster AYDN in the Future
Through the TDA conference, it was possible tolearn the long history working together the Asian
countries The Asian Federation of Dietetic
Associations, AFDA, was created in Malaysia in 1991.
At the time of its founding, there were nine member

countries, including Japan, but now twelve countries
are members. Nowadays, the Internet has become
widespread, which able to organize meetings andsending messages anytime, and anywhere. It makes
possible to easily transmit and receive information toand from people around the world. The young dietitians
should cooperate with pioneers of AFDA.
As part of the future development of AYDN, its
need to learn more about each country. The kick-off
meeting helped us to understand each other's culture
and general nutritional situation. However, learning
more in details about the nutritional situation of eachcountry, its able to share appropriate information toeach problem. Although Asian countries have great
differences such as in history, food culture and climate,
the nutritional problems they face are similar. What is
adaptable in one country may be adaptable in another.
The hope is that this network will usher in a solution to
Asia's nutritional problems by improving the education
system of each country to enhance knowledge of
dietitians.

50

Report (Malaysia) on the Asian Young Dietitians Network Meeting in Thailand
Georgen Thye1*, Ng Kar Foo1
1

Consultant Dietitian (Malaysian Dietitian Association, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

Introduction
The goals of the Asian Young Dietitian Network(AYDN) for this gathering in Bangkok, Thailand, in
conjunction with the Thai Dietetic Annual Conference,
are to foster collaboration, share knowledge, andstrengthen the network of young dietitians across Asia.
This event aims to enhance professional development,elevate the standards of nutrition practice in the region,and present insights from our research on the dietetic
education system among AYDN member countries.
We gratefully acknowledge the hospitality andgenerous support from the Ajinomoto company.
Special thanks to Prof. Yamamoto and TDA forsponsoring AYDN's activities, ensuring a successful
and enriching experience for all participants.
Personal Reflections
During our time in Thailand, we were deeply movedby the warmth and hospitality extended by the Thai
Dietetic Association and the locals in Bangkok. The
vibrant Thai cuisine, delightful street food, and richfood culture left a lasting impression.
The TDA conferences were particularly impactful,featuring inspiring presentations from esteemed figures
such as Prof. Yamamoto, Madam Mary Easaw, and Dr.
Teiji Nakamura. Their remarkable careers serve as
powerful motivation for dietitians and AYDN members
to pursue excellence in the field of nutrition anddietetics.
Interactions with fellow AYDN members wereenlightening. The exchange of ideas and experiences
provided valuable insights that we can apply to ourwork upon returning home. Discussing the education
and working systems from different countries
highlighted the diverse approaches to nutrition anddietetics, emphasizing the importance of a collaborativeand inclusive network.
Dietetics Program in Malaysia
Dietetics education in Malaysia is governed byrigorous standards to ensure the competence andprofessionalism of dietitians. Aspiring dietitians mustcomplete a bachelor’s degree in Dietetics or Nutrition
and Dietetics from a recognized university,
encompassing extensive coursework coupled with amandatory clinical internship. These programs must be
accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency(MQA) and recognized by the Ministry of Health.
Currently, there are 9 universities in Malaysia offering
dietetics programme that is designed in accordance with
*To whom correspondence should be addressed:
georgen_thye@live.com

the Programme Standards: Medical and Health Science
provided by MQA.
The Programme Standards document provides
guidelines for minimum acceptable practices in various
aspects of educational programs, including aims andlearning outcomes, curriculum design, assessment,
student selection, academic staff, resources, program
monitoring, leadership, governance, and quality
improvement. It does not specify detailed
characteristics for curricula or educational resources,
instead encouraging diversity and innovation. This
allows programme providers to customize theirofferings to create unique niches while ensuring
graduates meet professional and societal needs.
In dietetics, this Programme Standards document
aims to train dietitians to, at least but not limited to,understand food science, interpret nutrition science,
assess people’s nutritional needs, conduct dietcounseling, prescribe diets for medical conditions,
implement and manage nutrition services and healthpromotion programmes, undertake research, deliver
evidence-based nutrition care, and undertake
development of nutrition and dietetic policies. The
document also states 136 credits as the minimum
graduating credits for a bachelor’s degree in dietetics,
in which it should offer supervised professional
placement with 28-30 credits (equivalent to 1,120 to
1,200 hours). Supervised professional placement
consists of clinical, community dietetics, and foodservice settings. In the other words, aspiring dietitians
are given opportunities to access various settings
including government facilities to fulfill the placement
requirement, gain experience and advance professional
practice.
Action Plan to Foster AYDN in the Future
From the Thai Dietetic Conference and interactions
with other AYDN members, we have learned theimportance of continuous professional development
and the value of a supportive network. Applying thisknowledge, we aim to advocate for more structured
specialization programs and increased international
collaboration in Malaysia's nutrition education.
AYDN can significantly improve the undergraduate
Bachelor of Nutrition program in Malaysia byfacilitating knowledge exchange, providing access tointernational best practices, and offering professional
development opportunities. For the future developmentof AYDN, we propose the following ideas:
1. Establish
Mentorship
Programs:
Pairingexperienced dietitians with young professionals to
guide their career development.

51

2.

Promote Research Collaborations: Encouraging
joint research projects among AYDN members toaddress regional nutrition challenges.
3. Expand Training Opportunities: Organizing
workshops and training sessions on specialized
topics to enhance the skills of young dietitians.
By implementing these initiatives, AYDN cancontinue to foster excellence and innovation in the fieldof nutrition across Asia. We hope that AYDN member
countries will continue to work closely together,learning from and helping each other to grow, upskill,and improve the standards and recognition of dietitiansin the region.

1.
2.
3.

REFERENCES
Yama S, Wang LE, May AU. The effect of soybean
protein on lipid profile. J Nutr 42: 69–76. 1996.
Cho YU. Relationship between school lunch
program and Child behavior. Annu Rev Dietetics
16: 33–50. 1996.
Programme Standards: Medical and Health
Science. Malaysian Qualifications Agency. Second
Edition 2016

Fig 1. AYDN Malaysia Representatives Mr. Ng Kar Foo (left) and Mr. Georgen Thye (middle) receiving asouvenir from Prof. Dr. Chanida Pachotikarn, President of the Thai Dietetic Association (right).

52

Report (Philippines) on the Asian Young Dietitians Network Meeting in Thailand
Mabelle Yna C. Aragon1, Marita V. De Guzman2*
1 Nutritionist-Dietitians’ Association of the Philippines, Makati City, Philippines
2 Nutritionist-Dietitians’ Association of the Philippines, Makati City, Philippines
2 Accenture Inc., Taguig City, Philippines
The members of the Asian Young Dietitian
Network (AYDN) were invited by the Thai Dietetic
Association (TDA) to attend its 50th Anniversary andAnnual Conference on April 28-30, 2024 at theBerkeley Hotel Pratunam, Bangkok, Thailand. The
AYDN comprises dietitian representatives from various
Asian countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India,
Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka,
Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. This meeting was
made possible through the generous support andhospitality of the Asian Nutrition and Food Culture
Research Center of Jumonji University and AjinomotoCo., Inc. to promote professional development, enhancecross-cultural collaboration, and advance the field of
nutrition.
The recent Thai Dietetic Association conference
was a remarkable experience enriched by the warm
hospitality and vibrant culture of the Thai people.
AYDN members attended the opening ceremony andthe presentation of the TDA Research Award on April
29, 2024. The conference was incredibly inspiring,
especially with the presence of respected nutrition
experts. The lectures by Prof. Dr. Shigeru Yamamoto,
Dr. Chwang Leh-Chil, Dr. Teji Nakamura, Ms. Mary
Easaw, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Chanida Pachitikarn left alasting impression on the audience. Their careers andcontributions in the field of nutrition are strong
motivators for dietitians and members of the AsianYoung Dietitians Network (AYDN). Theirachievements demonstrated the endless possibilities ofour profession and the importance of striving forexcellence and innovation.
Interacting with other AYDN members wasanother cornerstone of the conference experience. This
was the second meeting after our first meeting in
December 2023 in Japan. This exchange was not only
social but also deeply educational. The exchange of*To whom correspondence should be addressed:
marita.deguzman_events@yahoo.com

insights and discussion of the different education andwork systems in different countries enriched ourunderstanding and broadened our perspectives. These
discussions fostered a sense of global camaraderie andshared purpose by highlighting the diversity in our field
and the universal challenges we face.
At the symposium on April 30, 2024, Asian Young
Dietitian Network members Nguyen Thu Trang andAndrea Wakita gave presentations on the network's
founding, activities and plans. Georgen Thy Choong
Jean, Chu Tzu Yun and Prem Kumar Neopanaypresented the network's research: "Exploring theLandscape of Nutrition and Dietetics Training
Program: A Comparative Study among Asian Young
Dietitian Network (AYDN) Member Countries."
AYDN members had prepared for months to collect,assess, and report data for each country’s Bachelor of
Science in Nutrition and Dietetics (BSND) program.
The symposium discussed curriculum structures,
faculty backgrounds, intern experiences, and common
strengths and opportunities for improvement in
nutrition and dietetics programs. During the discussion,
it was noted that some data collected from othercountries were only represented by one school oruniversity, which may not represent all schools oruniversities in that country. It was also noted that the
research compared various aspects such as the numberof credits required for a bachelor's degree. Therefore, itis necessary to validate the standards in each country
and conduct a new survey to update the results.
The BSND program in the Philippines is designed
to provide students with comprehensive training in boththeoretical and practical aspects of nutrition anddietetics. The program spans four years and covers awide range of subjects including biochemistry,
physiology, food science, medical nutrition therapy,
community and public health nutrition, and foodservice systems management1. In addition to classroom
learning, students gain practical experience throughsupervised internships in hospitals, community healthcenters, and food service institutions. The BSND
program is regulated by the Commission on Higher
Education (CHED)2, ensuring high academic standards
are met. The program aims to establish a strong
foundation in both nutritional science and practicalapplications, preparing graduates for various roles in
the field. It offers internships in a variety of settings toprovide valuable hands-on experience and focuses on
public health nutrition to equip students to address
broader nutrition issues in communities. However,some institutions may face challenges due to limited
laboratory and research facilities, which can affect thequality of practical training. There may also be
significant differences in the quality of education and53

training across institutions, impacting the uniformity ofgraduate competencies. Rapid advancements innutrition science require continuous updates to thecurriculum, and some programs may be slow in
integrating the latest research and technologies. Accessto the program can also be limited for students in ruralor underserved areas, affecting the diversity and reachof the profession. Overall, the BSND program in thePhilippines aims to produce well-rounded andcompetent nutritional professionals. However,addressing the challenges related to resources,
curriculum updates, and accessibility is crucial forenhancing the program's effectiveness and inclusivity.

The findings and experiences gained from thisconference will certainly have a lasting impact on our
professional lives. As we return to our respective
countries, we carry with us not only the inspiration fromthe distinguished speakers but also the practical insights
shared by our colleagues. This fusion of inspiration andpractical wisdom will undoubtedly enrich our work anddrive us to implement new ideas and approaches in ourdaily practice. In summary, the TDA conference inThailand was a mix of professional development andcultural enrichment. The warmth and hospitality of theThai people, coupled with their exquisite cuisine,formed an unforgettable backdrop to an extremely
inspiring and educational event. The lectures fromleading figures in the nutrition industry and the valuableinteractions with other AYDN members havestrengthened our overall commitment to excellence inthe field. As we continue our journey, these experiences
will remain a source of motivation and guidance,encouraging us to make a positive contribution to theglobal nutrition community.

REFERENCES
1. University of Santo Tomas. (n.d.). Department
Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics
of Nutrition and Dietetics. Retrieved from
(CHED Memorandum Order No. 14, series of
https://www.ust.edu.ph/education/department2017). Retrieved from https://prc.gov.ph/Sites/
of-nutrition-and-dietetics/.
default/files/CMO%2014%20BS%20Nutrition
2. Commission on Higher Education. (2017).
%20and%20Dietetics.pdf.
Policies, standards, and guidelines for the54

Report (Sri Lanka) on the Asian Young Dietitians Network Meeting in Thailand
Firouse F.A.Z1*, Abeysinghe AAKS2
1
2

Asiri Surgical Hospital PLC, Department of Nutrition & Dietetics, Colombo 05, Sri Lanka
Nawaloka Hospitals PLC, Department of Nutrition & Dietetics, Colombo 02, Sri Lanka

Introduction
The Asian Young Dietitians Network (AYDN),
established on December 1, 2023, held its second
physical meeting in Thailand from April 28th to 30th,
2024. This event coincided with the Thai Dietetic
Association's (TDA) 50th anniversary celebration, with
TDA hosting and inviting AYDN members. Twentyone dietitians from eleven Asian countries—
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia,
Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam
participated, Dietitians from Cambodia are part of ourmember team, but representatives from Cambodia wereunable to attend. The Sri Lanka Dietitians Association
was represented by Ms. F.A.Z. Firouse and Ms.
A.A.K.S. Abeysinghe.
The 50th anniversary of the TDA was a prestigious
event with esteemed guests. Having officials from theThai Health Ministry underscores the importance ofnutrition and dietetics in promoting public health.
Additionally, the presence of officials from the AsianFederation of Dietetic Associations (AFDA) highlights
the collaborative efforts across the region to address
nutritional challenges and promote health status. Also,
the participation of academics and dietitians from the
Asian region was remarkable. The presidential addressby Prof. Chanida Pachotikarn set the tone for the event,highlighting achievements, outlining future goals, andinspiring all attendees to continue their efforts inpromoting the field of dietetics and improving publichealth outcomes (Fig.1).
AYDN members, after several online discussions,
aimed to evaluate and enhance the academic curriculum
and practical training of nutrition and dietetics
programs across their member countries. They
surveyed with three primary objectives: assessing thediversity of curriculums and educational pathways,
examining practical training opportunities for nutritionand dietetics students, and identifying strengths andareas for improvement in member countries' degree
programs. All country representatives were actively
involved in carrying out the survey, which culminatedin a comprehensive set of information to be presented
at the TDA meeting under the theme "Exploring theLandscape of Nutrition and Dietetic Training Program:
A Comprehensive Study Among Asian Young
Dietitians Network Member Countries."
The AYDN symposium was structured into two
main segments. Initially, Ms. Nguyen Thu Trang and
Ms. Andrea Wakita played key roles, introducing theestablishment of the AYDN and presenting the annual
plan for 2024-2025. Following their presentation, Mr.
Georgen Thye, Mr. Tzu Yun Cha, and Mr. Prem Kumar*To whom correspondence should be addressed:
firouseamal@gmail.com(representing Malaysia, Taiwan, and Bhutan
respectively) shared the collective study findings. The
session was moderated and translated by Mr. Samitti
Chotsrluencha from Thailand. These speakers wereappointed through AYDN's collective decision-making
process, reflecting the organization's commitment toteamwork. (Fig.2).

Fig 1. TDA 50th Anniversary Inauguration
Ceremony with prestigious guests

Fig 2. AYDN Symposium
The meeting's success was significantly bolstered byseveral key contributors. The generous financial
support from Ajinomoto Corporation provided crucial
resources that facilitated the gathering. Additionally,
the invaluable guidance of Professor Shigeru
Yamamoto from Jumonji University, Japan, wasinstrumental. Prof. S.Yamamoto, a visionary leader in
dietetics with extensive networking connections among
senior Asian dietitians and industrial partnerships in thefield of nutrition and dietetics, played a pivotal role in55

offering expert insights and strategic direction thatsignificantly shaped the objectives and activities of theAYDN. With his wealth of experience and deep

understanding of the challenges and opportunities in thefield (Fig. 3).

Fig 3. Prof.S.Yamamoto directing and networking at
the conference

Fig 4. Warm and welcoming hospitality received
from TDA members

The TDA also played a crucial role in the event's
success. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the TDA
extended warm hospitality to all participants, creating awelcoming and conducive environment for fruitfulexchanges and collaboration (Fig:4) This support fromthe TDA not only enhanced the experience for theattendees but also underscored the collaborative spiritthat is essential for advancing nutrition and dietetics
across Asia.

support and encourage research and innovation in thefield of dietetics and nutrition.
Moreover, the conference provided an opportunity
to meet key figures from the Asian Federation of
Dietetic Associations (AFDA), expanding the Sri
Lankan dietitians' network through potential AFDA
membership. Interactions with fellow AYDN members
offered valuable insights into diverse educational andworking systems, presenting potential strategies for
implementation in our home country (Fig.6).
As AYDN members chose to represent theircountries in their traditional cultural attire, it fostered adeeper understanding and appreciation of each other'scultures. Additionally, AYDN and TDA made sure toarrange food and other facilities following participants'
religious values, ensuring a respectful and inclusive
environment.

Personal Reflections
The warmth and hospitality at the TDA conferencein Thailand left a lasting impression, highlighting theshared richness of Asian hospitality. As a team of
dietitians, we were eager to explore different dishes
according to local cultures and were delighted to taste
some authentic Thai dishes, which are highly nutritious
from a dietitian's perspective.
Esteemed figures such as Prof. Shigeru Yamamoto,Prof. Teiji Nakamura, Dr. Leh-Chii Chwang, and Dr.
Mary Easaw delivered inspiring presentations,motivating dietitians and AYDN members to pursue
excellence in nutrition. This exposure to field experts
was particularly beneficial for young dietitians from Sri
Lanka. The key takeaway for Sri Lankan dietitians was
the importance of engaging in more research in addition
to routine clinical practice (Fig.5).
One of the most memorable events was the grandcelebration of the TDA's 50th anniversary. The TDA
not only marked this milestone with grandeur but alsooffered several research grants and awards acrossdifferent categories. These opportunities extended fromschool students to postgraduate students, involving
academic organizations and industrial partnerships toBachelor of Nutrition program
In Sri Lanka, only one bachelor's degree is offeredto produce registered dietitians recognized by the Sri
Lanka Medical Council. The Bachelor of Science inFood Science and Nutrition program at Wayamba
University of Sri Lanka features a robust andcomprehensive curriculum that integrates essential
basic science subjects and professional courses. The
program is distinguished by its qualified faculty,
predominantly experienced dietitians serving as
academics and preceptors, and its emphasis on practicaltraining through extensive clinical internships. Despite
these strengths, the absence of a national examination
for dietitian registration poses a challenge forstandardization and recognition of qualifications.
Additionally, while the clinical internships are wellstructured, the training in community and food service

56settings would benefit from increased and morestructured hours.
Action Plan to Foster AYDN in the Future
To foster AYDN in the future, several actionable
steps for improving nutrition and dietetics education in
Sri Lanka include: implementing a standardized
national examination for dietitian registration andregistration renewal process to enhance professional
credibility; increasing the duration and structure ofcommunity and food service internships to meetinternational standards; and maintaining collaboration
within AYDN to exchange best practices andinnovative educational strategies, benefiting theundergraduate program in Sri Lanka.
Future Development of AYDN
As a young organization, AYDN has establishedplans extending to 2026. For the years 2024 to 2025,
AYDN is focusing on playing a crucial role instandardizing dietetics education across Asia. By
creating a network of highly qualified dietitians, AYDN
is dedicated to enhancing the field of Dietetics andNutrition throughout the region.

Fig 5. An eye-opening slide presented at the conferenceby Prof.S.Yamamoto & take-home message of
Sri Lankan dietitians

57

Fig 6. Sri Lankan dietitians networking with
AFDA, TDA officials and AYDN teamReport (Taiwan) on the Asian Young Dietitians Network Meeting in Thailand
Tzu-Yun Chu1, Zi-Xuan Lin2*
1

Clinical Dietitian, Dietetics and Nutrition Department, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan
2
Clinical Dietitian, Department of Dietetics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taiwan

Introduction
The Asia Young Dietitian Network (AYDN)'s goals
for this gathering in Thailand Dietetic Association(TDA) conference, Thailand, are to promote member
interaction and cooperation, and to advance the field of
nutrition. We acknowledge the hospitality and generous
support received from Ajinomoto company, and thesponsorship of AYDN's activities by Prof. Yamamoto
and TDA.

2.

Personal Reflections
In Thailand, we experienced the warmth andhospitality of the Thai people, along with ourappreciation for Thai cuisine, street food, and foodculture. The diverse and delicious food is not only
enjoyable but also a significant part of the culture,reflecting the creativity and warmth of the Thai people.
The TDA conference had a profound impact on us.
The inspiring presentations from esteemed figures suchas Prof. Yamamoto, Madam Mary Easaw, and Dr. Teiji
Nakamura highlighted their careers, which serve as
motivation for dietitians and AYDN members tocontinue pursuing excellence in the field of nutrition.
Interactions with fellow AYDN members werehighly beneficial. These exchanges not only help with
our individual work upon returning home but also
provide valuable insights into the education andworking systems of different countries.

Weaknesses:
1. Many Certifications but Not Specialized:
Dieticians often need to get extra certifications tostay competitive. This broadens their knowledge
but doesn't deepen expertise. They spend a lot oftime and money on these certifications but
struggle to gain trust in their consulting services,leading to negative effects.
2. InsufficientInternship
Hours:
Althoughinternships are emphasized, there aren't enoughhours, and the quality varies. Some hospitals offer
internships just to meet requirements without
providing real clinical experience, leaving
students unprepared for the job market.
3. Low Salary Levels: Dieticians in Taiwan
generally earn low salaries, forcing many to seek
extra income through writing, consulting, or
speaking engagements. While this helps raise
income, it can commodify services and harm theprofessional image.

Bachelor of Nutrition
Taiwan's Bachelor of Nutrition provides diverse
employment opportunities but also faces challenges.
Here are the strengths and weaknesses of career paths
for graduates:
Strengths:
1. Diverse career options: Graduates can work in
hospitals, schools, public health agencies, fitness
centers, and food companies, holding positions
like clinical dieticians, community dieticians, andresearchers.

3.
4.

Professional certification: National exams grant
nutritionist licenses, enhancing competitivenessand professional reputation.
Variety of internships: Emphasizing practicalexperience, the program offers internships in
hospitals, schools, and communities.
Continuous education: Professional associations
offer workshops and courses for skill
enhancement.

Action Plan to Foster AYDN in the Future
From TDA and other AYDN members, we havelearned many valuable lessons that will help improve
the situation in our country. AYDN can enhance the
Bachelor of Nutrition program in Taiwan by promotinginternational exchange and sharing best practices. Our
future development plans include establishing moreinternational collaboration projects, encouraging
resource sharing, and regularly organizing professional
training and seminars to enhance members' professional
skills and knowledge.

*To whom correspondence should be addressed:
qoopooh721@gmail.com

58

Report (Thailand) on the Asian Young Dietitians Network Meeting in Thailand
Samitti Chotsriluecha1,2,3*, Yupa Chanwikrai4
1

Clinical Nutrition Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Phramongkutklao andCollege of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
2
Graduate student in Doctor of Philosophy Program in Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine
Ramathibodi Hospital and Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
3
Thai Dietetic Association
4
Department of Nutrition, School of Medical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand

Introduction
Asian Dietitian Network’s was established forsharing information and experience toward Asian
country, and developed research and publication toenhance future direction of dietetic framework. The
Asian Young Dietitian Network (AYDN) activities goon to Thailand for sharing knowledge in the Thailand
Dietetic Association Conference 2024. This activity
was supported by Prof. Shigeru Yamamoto (Jumonji
University),
Ajinomoto
Co.,
Inc.
GlobalCommunication, and Thailand Dietetic Association(TDA). This report may aim to provide personalreflection of experience gathering in conference as wellas to express appreciation of all hospitality andgenerous support received from all those who
cooperated.
Asian Young Dietitian Network Symposium
On TDA conference 30 April 2024, AYDN
Symposium was established to demonstratecollaboration and network working group. The purposeof the symposium was to propagate AYDN initiative
group and share the knowledge and dietetic information
among each country. The speaker of symposiumincluding Mr.Samitti Chotsriluecha, Chairman(Thailand), Ms. Andrea Wakita, Co-chairman (Japan),
Ms. Trang Thu Nguyen (Vietnam), Mr. Georgen Thye

(Malaysia), Mr. Markus Chu (Taiwan), Mr. Prem
Kumar (Bhutan).
The first session composed of Establishment of
Asian Young Dietitian Network, which presented by
Ms. Trang Thu Nguyen, including the contents of gap
between dietitian across Asian country, theestablishment of AYDN, and future direction of AYDN.
The second session displayed “Exploring theLandscape of Nutrition and Dietetics Training
Program: A Comparative Study among Asian Young
Dietitian Network (AYDN) Member Countries. Thissession was presented aim to presented three objectives.
First, to assess curriculum diversity and educational
pathways in AYDN member countries. Second, toexamine practical training opportunities for nutritionand dietetics students in AYDN member countries.
Third to identify strengths and areas for improvementin AYDN member countries' degree programs. Thissession provides great value of informative learning
programs among nutrition and dietetic course from eachcountry, which lead us to enhance the competencies ofdietetic students and make the new frontier of specificnutrition integrate with oriental intellectual such as
phytonutrient from herbs and spices, Chinese
traditional medicine, Ayurveda medicine, and also
traditional Thai traditional medicine.

Fig 1. Asian Young Dietitian Network Symposium
In my point of view, dietitian should integrate andcollect nutrition and dietetic knowledge according toevidenced-based and scientific methodology with the*To whom correspondence should be addressed:
samitti.ch@gmail.com

traditional intellectual. However, research in field of
integrate medicine need to be further warrant of require
more publication among nutrition and dietetic approach.
This could be a strong point among Asian dietetic in
future direction, which collaborate scientific59methodology with traditional intellectual towardsustainable development and nutrition for all.
Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetic Program in
ThailandIn Thailand, nutrition and dietetic programs
composed of 19 courses as certified becoming
registered dietitian. By the regulation of Dietetic
Professional Council, the course syllabus of nutritionand dietetics program should be more than 120 credits
incorporated with general education (> 24 credits),
specific course on nutrition and dietetic (>72 credits),
internship in nutrition and dietetic (>18 credits, > 900
hours), and elective course (> 6 credits).
The specific courses of nutrition and dietetic
including introduction of food science and nutrition,
food safety and sanitation, principles and culinaryscience, human nutrition, community nutrition,
nutrition in life cycle, principle of nutrition and dietetics,
nutrition assessment, medical nutrition therapy,
nutrition counseling and behavior modification,
seminar in nutrition and dietetics, research in nutritionand dietetics, and ethical and legal issues in dietetics,
which are the fundamental course to enhance the corecompetency of dietitian. The additional course are
special programs depend on university arrangement andrequirement of professional dietetics such as
personalized nutrition, sports nutrition, integrated
nutrition, nutrition and pharmacology, innovation
healthy food and disease-specific food, or sustainable
food security.
The internship in nutrition and dietetic wasregulated by law at least 900 hours, which including
nutrition management and food service (>150 hours),
clinical nutrition and dietetic (>300 hours), community

nutrition (>150 hours), and interesting internship (>300
hours). The regulation of internship hour in Thailand
was higher than the International Confederation of
Dietetic Associations (ICDA) standard at 500 hours, inadditional some university able to provide 1,200 hours
to dietetic student.
The strong point of Thai nutrition and dietetic
curriculum was high internship hours, variety of special
nutrition and dietetic course, which able to enhance ineach field of nutrition e.g. public and community
nutrition, food service and management, and clinicalnutrition. However, there are also have the gap to fillwith the improvement in specialist in each field such as
certified specialist nutrition support board in specificdisease, and also to improve the career pathways andemployability.
Action Plan to Foster AYDN in the Future
The network leads us to opportunities for learningand sharing. AYDN provides a platform to exchange
nutrition and dietetic knowledge, enhancing ourcompetencies based on the course curriculum. My
suggestions for future development include
standardizing and expediting dietitian competencies
within multidisciplinary teams, sharing nutrition
knowledge not only within Thailand but also acrossAsia, and conducting research on personalized andlocalized nutrition to ensure sustainable food andnutrition practices in Asia. Each Asian country faces
unique nutrition challenges, but these can betransformed into exciting opportunities that call for
ongoing collaboration and support. AYDN, as aproactive group of young dietitians, guides us towards
growth and fortifying the dietetic field for the future.

Fig 2. AYDN members with Prof.Shigeru Yamamoto (center), Dr.Chanida Pachotikarn: the president of TDA(left of center) and Dr.Sunard Taechangam: advisory committee of TDA (right of center)60

Report (Vietnam) on the Asian Young Dietitians Network Meeting in Thailand
Trang Thu Nguyen1* , Yen Ngoc Ma2,3
1
Nutrition and Food Culture Research Center, Jumonji University, Saitama, Japan
2
Nagasaki University, School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki, Japan
3
Nutrition and Dietetic Department, Hanoi Medical University Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
Following the success of the Asia Young Dietitian
Network (AYDN) kick-off meeting in person was held
for the first time in Tokyo, Japan, in November 2023,
this year, thanks to the generous support from Professor
Yamamoto Shigeru of Jumonji University, the Thailand
Dietetic Association (TDA), and Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
Global Communication Division, Japan, members of
AYDN from 12 Asian countries had the golden
opportunity to gather and discuss the curriculum of
bachelor of nutrition programs at the undergraduatelevel. This meeting took place in Thailand alongside the50th-anniversary celebrations of TDA Thailand.
With this honored opportunity, we had a greatchance to present our country’s data and engage in a
fruitful exchange of ideas, focusing on the strengths andweaknesses of bachelor of nutrition training programs.
Furthermore, we built strong connections among all
members and committed ourselves to dedicating ourtime and efforts to thriving the future of AYDN.
Personal Reflections on Widening the International
Dietitian Circle (From Ms. Yen’s perspective as a newmember)“I have been a new member of AYDN since
February 2024. Over the past three months, I
participated in numerous online meetings to discuss ourconcerns about the nutrition education system and how
to improve it through the AYDNetwork. I was worried
about our first meeting in Thailand because it was myfirst time meeting many international dietitians.
Moreover, as a newbie, I was concerned about how tomake friends with my new colleagues, even though weusually had monthly online meetings. However, all myworries disappeared immediately when I attended thefirst in-person meeting in Thailand. I felt that everyone
was amiable and energetic, and I also sensed theenthusiasm for nutrition from my colleagues. Throughmultiple conversations, I gained a better understandingof the nutrition system in my friends' home countries. I
am very grateful for the support from all our sponsors,
including Professor Yamamoto Shigeru, Ajinomoto Co.,
Inc., Global Communication, and the Thailand Dietetic

Association. Without their generous support, we
AYDN members would not have had the opportunity tomeet each other in person.
AYDN serves as a vital network for connecting
young dietitians, facilitating the exchange of insights
and experiences among members from different
countries, which we sometimes cannot find in academic
papers. It is not only enhancing our understanding of
the education system but also improving our
professional performance.
During the conference, I had the privilege ofmeeting international colleagues specializing in diverse
areas through AYDN. For instance, RD Zi Xuan Lin(Joy) from Taiwan specializes in pediatric dietetics,
while RD Palmy from Thailand specializes indysphagia management. I vividly recall the words that
Joy told me when I asked her, “Can I contact you if I
face some challenges while taking care of my children's
patients?" Without any hesitation, she told me, “Sure!
I will help you as much as I can. Let’s improve ourdietitian community.” I was delighted at the time, and I
am confident that one of the best choices I made thisyear was to join AYDN. The AYDN gives me theimpression that I have arrived at a hub of dietitians,
something I would not have been able to easily find in
my own country due to disparities in the nutrition
workforce.
In Vietnam, our nutrition training programs are
generally broad, lacking specialization in specificclinical areas such as pediatrics, endocrinology, ICU
care, and dysphagia management. Therefore,
interactions with colleagues specializing in these areas
offer invaluable learning opportunities. I can seek
advice from these experts when encountering
challenging cases involving children or dysphagia
patients. Moreover, I can share this knowledge with mycolleagues and nutrition students during theirinternships at my hospital.
For me, AYDN is a priceless resource that will
enable me to broaden my perspective and also go
beyond my limited understanding of the nutrition
education system.”*To whom correspondence should be addressed:
trangnn27@gmail.com

61

Fig 1. Friendship among AYDN’s members

Fig 2. Vietnam AYDN’s members and Prof.
Chanida (the President of TDA)

Bachelor of Nutrition program
Up until 2024, Vietnam being one of the latest
countries to establish dietetic courses did not have astandard curriculum for the Bachelor of Nutrition
program. It has been only more than 10 years sinceHanoi Medical University with the Ministry of
Education and Training’s permission started the firstenrollment and specialized training of Bachelor of
Nutrition (BN) students, with the job code 7720401 in2013 (1). On the bright side, this means that Vietnam
can inherit the comprehensive curriculum from Japanand other countries (Australia and America) that have
many years of experience. Another strength of theVietnamese training program is that with the increasingawareness of the importance of nutrition, numerous
hospitals offer opportunities for students to gain clinicaland hands-on experience by learning directly frompatients, starting from their bachelor's degree studies.
However, as mentioned before, Vietnam’s nutrition
field is still relatively new, and the number of humanresources is still lacking; thus, almost all the professors
and instructors are not from the background of dietitians
but rather from doctors, and public health personnel.
Therefore, when we looked at the fact that 100% of
instructors are dietitians in other countries like Japan,
Malaysia, and Taiwan…, we hope that in the future theopportunity for this career position will be more open
to all Vietnamese dietitians.
Not only the background of lectures but the content
of the current curriculum also needs to be constructed.
In Vietnam, the curriculum does not help students
specialize in three different areas of nutrition: foodsafety and hygiene, community nutrition, and clinicalnutrition. It is highly recommended to reorganize theprogram, allocating two and a half years to train
students in fundamental nutrition knowledge and one
and a half years for specific areas in which students areinterested (practice and internship-specific knowledge).
This restructuring could help students navigate theircareer pathways later in life. Moreover, there is a
critical need to augment on-site practice hours to meetat least the ICDA standard (500 hours). Although,during the 4-year program, the students get to spend
many hours training at the on-site hospitals, they only
focus on learning about diseases but not nutrition,
which makes the actual number of internship hours in
Vietnam lower than in other countries. The lack ofvariety in on-site training facilities related to foodtechnology, school nutrition, and food services is also a
problem. Integrating nutrition into subjects taught at
hospitals and expanding practical facilities caneffectively address this issue.
Action Plan to Foster AYDN in the Future
Upon hearing different courses from various Asian
countries during the presentation of AYDN at theThailand Dietetics Association, we learned many
intriguing and helpful ideas that can help improve ourprogram in Vietnam. For example, we hope that we canadapt some of the unique subjects that are being offeredin others such as, Japan has a lot of subjects that aid theunderstanding of cooking science, which can enabledietitians to improve their menu planning abilities andenhance communication with cooks. Or in the era ofadvanced technology and mass media, it is necessary to
introduce the students to the advanced technology that
can assist the dietitian’s job. This can be achieved byintroducing subjects related to software applications
and having some subjects such as social marketing,mass communication, and information technology likein Sri Lanka. Vietnam can also learn how to distributethe number of internship hours to cover all the areas of
dietitians’ expertise from countries like the Philippines
with their training regulation with one must have 600
hours of training at the hospitals, 300 hours at
community nutrition, and 300 hours at food companies.
There are still many things that Vietnamesedietitians can learn from all their Asian colleagues in
the Asia Young Dietitian Network, not only inenhancing the bachelor’s training program but also invast aspects such as the law system, registration
system… With the pool data from all the member
countries of AYDN, we can publish many meaningful
articles that can serve as references for the recently
established system like Vietnam, Cambodia… This canbe a notable support for young dietitians when theywant to approach the officials and the government topropose enhancement in the structure or procedures.
We firmly believe that AYDN can be the new voice ofall dietitians with their burning passion for making achange in the nutrition field and lifting the image of
dietitians so that they can get their deserved recognition.
Along with the tight-knit friendship from all our fellow
members in the network, we, Vietnamese dietitians,
will also devote our best to improving our country’s

62dietetics and are eager to contribute to the developmentof the network.
REFERENCES
1.
Ministry of Health L and W. Nutrition
Policy in Japan to Leave No One Behind - For
Achieving Sustainable Societies. 2019.

2.
Ministry of Education and Training. Quyết
định số 5158/ QĐ-BGDĐT ngày 21 tháng 11 năm2012 của Bộ Giáo dục và đào tạo vè việc cho phépTrường đại học Y Hà Nội đào tạo đại học nghành
Dinh dưỡng (Decision No. 5158/QD-BGDĐT dated
November 21, 2012 of the Ministry of Education
and Training regarding the permission for Hanoi
Medical University to offer undergraduate programsin Nutrition). 5158 Vietnam; Nov 21, 2012.

63