KKU Faculty of Public Health Achieves International Acclaim with Three Occupational Health and Safety Awards

27 May 2026
16:20

The Faculty of Public Health at Khon Kaen University (KKU) has achieved significant international recognition, securing three prestigious oral presentation awards at a major international academic conference. The accolades highlight the institution’s outstanding research capabilities and its commitment to advancing occupational health, safety, and worker well-being on an international scale.

The awards were presented at the “Joint Conference of the 34th OHSWA and 53rd MEDICHEM Congress 2026”, held from 18 to 19 May 2026 at the Best Western Plus Wanda Grand Hotel. Organised under the theme “Elevating Worker Safety and Health with Technological Innovation”, the international conference brought together leading global experts. The KKU delegation was led by Professor Sunisa Chaiklieng, Ph.D., Head of the Department of Environmental Health, Occupational Health and Safety, alongside Associate Professor Wiparat Phokhee, Ph.D., and a cohort of undergraduate and postgraduate students.

At the opening ceremony, Professor Chaiklieng was honoured as a keynote speaker, delivering an address entitled “Unmasking Hidden Toxins: Innovative Approaches and Body Burdens in the Informal Circular Economy”. This presentation shared significant occupational health and safety insights with the global community. Following the keynote session, KKU students presented their research and innovations, securing three major awards:

First Prize for Oral Presentation: Awarded for the project “Smart Ergonomics Risk Matrix (SEM)”. This innovation was developed as an extension of a special problems course by fourth-year undergraduate students in the Bachelor of Science programme in Environmental Health, Occupational Health and Safety, namely Ms. Nichapat Thanboon and Ms. Suchada Don-onbao. The project was supervised by Professor Sunisa Chaiklieng, Ph.D., Assistant Professor Worawan Phoochada, Ph.D., and Patchariya Jaidee, Ph.D.
Second Runner-Up for Oral Presentation: Awarded for the study “Developing an Innovative Digital-Base Training System to Enhance Contractor Safety Management Efficiency and ISO 45001 Compliance”. This work was conducted by Ms. Natnicha Khamsuk, a fourth-year undergraduate student in the Bachelor of Science programme in Public Health (comajoring in Occupational Health and Safety). Her advisors included Associate Professor Wiparat Phokhee, Ph.D., and Assistant Professor Pokkamol Laoraksawong, Ph.D., with additional mentorship provided by industry supervisors from her cooperative education placement.
Honourable Mention for Oral Presentation: Awarded for the research entitled “Ergonomic Risk Assessment in a Wooden Pallet Manufacturing Factory”. This study was completed by Ms. Pawichaya Sae-ang, a first-year postgraduate student in the Master of Science programme in Occupational Health and Safety, under the supervision of Professor Sunisa Chaiklieng, Ph.D.

This remarkable success reflects the research excellence and innovative capacity of the Faculty of Public Health at Khon Kaen University. By consistently elevating occupational health, safety, and environmental standards to international levels, the university consolidates its position as a leading educational institution committed to producing lasting knowledge and meaningful innovations for the global community.