Brilliant fireworks light up the night sky, creating a colourful backdrop to the That Luang stupa during the 50th National Day celebrations.  --Photo Phoonsab Thevongsa

Thousands of people pack the That Luang esplanade in Vientiane on Tuesday to witness a dazzling drone show and spectacular fireworks display celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.     --Photo Phoonsab Thevongsa

Representing the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Mr Sungsu Oh, and the Korean University Council for Social Service (KUCSS), Mr Bongsoon Jang, gather with officials from the Faculty of Agriculture at the National University of Laos, the Vientiane Education and Sports Department, Xaythany district education and sports office, 37 youth volunteers from KUCSS and other individuals at a ceremony where education officials presented certificates to the volunteers. The group has worked in educational development, helped compile environmental textbooks for students, taught lessons on the environment to students at the Faculty of Agriculture and Pakxabmay and Pakxabkao primary schools, and engaged in other activities. The cost of these activities was valued at about 1 billion kip, supported by the Korea International Cooperation Agency.

The Laos-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Research Unit (LOMWRU) celebrated its 25th anniversary recently, with Deputy Minister of Health Dr Phayvanh Keopaseuth affirming the nation’s commitment to utilising research to tackle infectious disease challenges.  Dr Phayvanh thanked representatives from the Wellcome Programme, from Oxford University, and from Mahidol University, for their contributions to research and healthcare in Laos. LOMWRU is a collaborative research project with a focus on tropical diseases. A recent meeting of the international research unit was not merely a celebration of the important anniversary, but also a commemoration of the journey of success and the significant impact and benefits of the research of the LOMWRU Programme over the past 25 years.