The Faculty of Public Health at Khon Kaen University (KKU) has achieved significant international recognition, securing three prestigious oral presentation awards at the recent global academic symposium. 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 achievements took place during 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. Organized 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 group of talented undergraduate and postgraduate students.
At the opening ceremony, Professor Chaiklieng was honoured as a keynote speaker, delivering a distinguished lecture entitled “Unmasking Hidden Toxins: Innovative Approaches and Body Burdens in the Informal Circular Economy”. This presentation shared crucial occupational health and safety insights with the global community. Following the keynote session, KKU students presented their research and innovations, ultimately securing three major accolades:
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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.
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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.
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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 and innovation potential of the Faculty of Public Health at Khon Kaen University. By consistently elevating occupational health, safety, and environmental standards to international levels, the university reinforces its position as a leading educational institution dedicated to producing sustainable knowledge and impactful innovations for the global society.
