KHON KAEN, THAILAND — A student from the Faculty of Engineering at Khon Kaen University has achieved national recognition by winning the Second Runner-Up award in the International Cooperative and Work-Integrated Education (CWIE) Student Project category. The prestigious accolade was awarded for an artificial intelligence innovation designed for early-stage glaucoma screening at the 16th CWIE DAY ceremony. Organised by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) to honour outstanding national and international achievements in work-integrated learning, the event took place on 6 June 2026 at Naresuan University in Phitsanulok Province.
Mr. Thass Decharat, a student majoring in Telecommunication Engineering within the Faculty of Engineering at Khon Kaen University, secured the national runner-up position with his project titled “AI-Assisted Oblique Flashlight Test for Narrow Angle Screening”. This pioneering research applies artificial intelligence technology to improve the efficiency and accuracy of screening patients at risk of closed-angle glaucoma, which remains one of the primary causes of irreversible blindness worldwide.
The award-winning innovation was developed during Mr. Decharat’s cooperative education internship at the Dongseo University Radiographic Imaging Optimization Laboratory (DSU RADiO LAB) in the Republic of Korea. The project successfully integrated core competencies in telecommunication engineering, artificial intelligence algorithms, and medical technology to build a practical, accessible, and non-invasive screening tool capable of being deployed in real-world clinical settings in the near future.
This national success highlights the exceptional potential of Khon Kaen University engineering students in translating technical academic knowledge into impactful healthcare innovations that address critical societal challenges. Furthermore, it demonstrates the success of the university’s international cooperative education framework in preparing globally competent graduates who are equipped to drive future technological advancements.
