Kasetsart University – Chevron – SEAOHUN Partner with 10 High Schools To Promote “One Health” Concept
In Bangkok on March 9, 2024, - Kasetsart University, with the support of Chevron, and SEAOHUN, signed an MOU with 10 pilot schools to promote the “One Health” model and knowledge of how to handle epidemics. The ultimate goal is to expand the One Health concept to schools across Thailand as well as other parts of Southeast Asia.
Dr. Vipat Kuruchittham, Executive Director of Southeast Asia One Health University Network (SEAOHUN), revealed during the signing ceremony on March 9, 2024 between the Kasetsart University and 10 pilot high schools under the “Piloting the One Health Core Competency Course for High School Students” that, “This initiative has materialized through the collaboration between SEAOHUN and the Kasetsart University. In collaboration with Chevron, our project aims to educate people including youth with knowledge and understanding of how to stop epidemics via “One Health” concept. It takes multidisciplinary knowledge and cooperation to holistically integrate the health affairs of humans, animals, and the environment”.
The project objectives are to: 1) Promote learning on “One Health” among high school students; 2) Develop teachers and students to become change agents via online training and practices; 3) Gather best practices on incorporating One Health into high school curriculum; and 4) Foster collaborations between basic education authorities and higher education institutes to assist the country in addressing public-health crisis.
SEAOHUN has already conducted “One Health” training for over 12 years in eight member countries namely Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia. Its training has covered more than 50,000 school students, university students, university lecturers, healthcare staff, livestock officials, as well as wildlife and environmental staff.
Associate Professor Dr. Ladawan Puangchit, Kasetsart University’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, said, “Our university has designed learning modules and training platform to ensure easy access for high school students and teachers. Engaged in the design process were our Faculty of Education, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Technology, Faculty of Forestry, and Faculty of Environment”.
“Our training courses have blended hard skills with soft skills for One Health competencies, with seven modules that cover integrated healthcare for protection against endemic, seasonal and epidemic diseases. In the future, we hope our courses will extend to high schools across Thailand as well as other parts of Southeast Asia,” Associate Professor Dr. Ladawan added.
The 10 pilot high schools in the projects are the Triamudom Suksa School, the Princess Chulabhorn Science High Schools Pathum Thani, the Sarawittaya School, the Sa-Nguan Ying School, the Prachaniwet School, the Banbangkapi School, the Kasetsart University Laboratory School, the Srinakharinwirot University Prasarnmit Demonstration School (Secondary), the Bangkok Christian College, and the Sarasas Witaed Suksa School.
A preliminary survey among the 10 pilot schools in Thailand’s Central region shows respiratory disorders caused by PM2.5 threat and dengue fever have affected students’ health and learning.
Mr. Panu Boonwattanopas, Vice President of Digital, Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production, Ltd., said, “The ‘Piloting the One Health Core Competency Course for High School Students’ aims to develop educational personnel at secondary schools, fostering awareness among students and their peers. Chevron continues to partner and invest in health, education and economic development to advance progress. This program for high school teachers builds upon the success of the ‘Southeast Asia One Health Knowledge Promotion’ initiative that kicked off in 2021 for kindergarten, primary-school, and lower secondary school teachers through collaboration of Chevron and SEAOHUN. This project aligns with Chevron’s commitment to providing reliable, affordable, and increasingly cleaner energy to Thailand, while enhancing the quality of life for local communities. The aim is to empower youth in Thailand to respond effectively to endemic diseases, threats related to animal or weather, and emerging diseases like COVID-19 in the future,” Mr. Panu concluded.
About Southeast Asia One Health University Network
The Southeast Asia One Health University Network (SEAOHUN) was established in 2011 as an academic and research network advancing One Health concept. Currently, SEAOHUN has more than 100 educational institutes from eight ASEAN countries in its network. The SEAOHUN Secretariat is based in Chiang Mai’s Mueang district, Thailand.
About Chevron
Chevron is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies. As a company of problem solvers, we look to the future of energy with optimism. We provide affordable, reliable, and ever-cleaner energy to people in the Eurasia Pacific region that is essential to achieving a more prosperous and sustainable world. We invest in community programs that help advance the UN’s sustainable development goals and strive to empower people to meet their full potential.
Media Contacts
SEAOHUN Secretariat, info@seaohun.org, +66 52 010069
Cam Van Ast, Chevron, cameron.vanast@chevron.com +61 9216 4462
