Department of Disease Control and Walailak University Sign Academic MOU

"2 February 2026 — The Department of Disease Control (DDC), Ministry of Public Health, and Walailak University have formally entered into an academic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening collaboration in advanced academic development, research integration, and workforce capacity building to enhance sustainable public health protection. The signing ceremony was held at the Department of Disease Control, with the Director-General of the Department of Disease Control and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Warit Jawjit, Vice President of Walailak University, serving as signatories. The agreement reflects a shared commitment to translating academic knowledge into practical solutions for addressing occupational and environmental health challenges an increasingly critical issue in modern public health systems. The partnership emphasizes the integration of academic expertise and real-world practice to improve disease surveillance, prevention, and control related to occupational and environmental exposures. Dr. Chantana Padungtoss, Director of the Division of Occupational and Environmental Diseases at the Department of Disease Control, outlined the scope of collaboration, highlighting several key initiatives. These include supporting DDC personnel in pursuing postgraduate studies at Walailak University, providing experiential learning opportunities for public health students through direct engagement with field experts, and jointly advancing research, innovation, and national academic conferences to promote knowledge exchange and adaptive disease control strategies. Walailak University expressed its strong commitment to supporting the mission of the Department of Disease Control, emphasizing that this collaboration between academic institutions and frontline public health agencies will play a vital role in strengthening Thailand’s public health system and improving long-term health outcomes for workers and the wider population."