On August 5, 2026, at 9:00 AM, at Diamond Dome 1 Room, Queenland Hotel Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi District, Bangkok, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University—represented by Assistant Professor Dr. Somsak Klaysung, Vice President for Student Affairs, acting on behalf of President Associate Professor Dr. Chutikarn Sriviboon—joined the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish the Urban Health Academic Center. He also shared visions on the topic "Future, Sustainability, Shared Direction: Urban Health" alongside executives from universities and partner organizations across the nation.
Assistant Professor Dr. Somsak stated, "Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University is fully prepared to help drive the Urban Health Academic Center as a vital mechanism for integrating cooperation among the government, academic sector, and partner networks to develop Thailand's cities based on knowledge, research, and innovation."
He further noted that over the next 3 to 5 years, urban areas will face multi-faceted challenges, including an aging society, climate change, social inequality, mental health issues, environmental quality, and the digital transformation. Consequently, "urban health" must be viewed holistically across interconnected dimensions of the economy, society, environment, and citizens' quality of life.
"Universities must step up to become a 'Strategic Partner for Urban Development' by leveraging capabilities in research, academic services, and innovation to support public policy formulation based on accurate data and foster civic engagement at all levels," Assistant Professor Dr. Somsak added.
"Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University will accelerate the establishment of an urban health academic working group, connecting researchers across diverse disciplines with collaborative networks to develop area-based research, analyze urban health data, synthesize policy proposals, and create scalable urban development models nationwide. This initiative directly advances Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages."
During the event, Dr. Apichat Rodsom, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Health Commission Office, delivered remarks on the background of this collaboration, while Dr. Suthep Petchmark, Secretary-General of the National Health Commission Office, gave a keynote address titled "Directions and Opportunities for Driving Urban Health via Participatory Public Policy Processes." Presidents and executive representatives from participating universities jointly signed the MOU.
The signing ceremony was organized by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) in partnership with the National Health Commission Office (NHCO) and 15 partner universities to propel the establishment of the Urban Health Academic Center into a central hub for integrating knowledge, research, and innovation, thereby supporting urban health systems, pushing forward public policies, and sustainably enhancing the quality of life for urban populations.