"One Health" concept promoted in ten pilot high schools

The Southeast Asia One Health University Network (SEAOHUN) and Kasetsart University, with the support of Chevron, have joined forces to promote the “One Health” model and knowledge on how to handle epidemics.

The initial stage will be implemented in ten pilot high schools under the “Piloting the One Health Core Competency Course for High School Students”. The ultimate goal is to expand the concept to schools across the country as well as other parts of Southeast Asia.

Vipat Kuruchittham, executive director of SEAOHUN, revealed that this initiative has materialized through collaboration with Kasetsart University.

In collaboration with Chevron, the project aims to educate people, including youth, with knowledge and understanding of how to stop epidemics via the “One Health” concept. It takes multidisciplinary knowledge and cooperation to holistically integrate the health affairs of humans, animals, and the environment.

The project objectives are to:

• Promote learning on “One Health” among high school students.
• Develop teachers and students to become change agents via online training and practices.
• Gather best practices on incorporating One Health into the high school curriculum.
• Foster collaborations between basic education authorities and higher education institutes to assist the country in addressing public health crises.

SEAOHUN has already conducted “One Health” training for over 12 years in eight member countries, namely Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

Its training has covered more than 50,000 school students, university students, university lecturers, healthcare staff, livestock officials, as well as wildlife and environmental staff.

Associate Professor Ladawan Puangchit, Kasetsart University’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, said, “Our university has designed learning modules and a training platform to ensure easy access for high school students and teachers.

Engaged in the design process were our Faculties of Education, Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Technology, Forestry, and Environment.”

“Our training courses have blended hard skills with soft skills for One Health competencies, with seven modules that cover integrated healthcare for protection against endemic, seasonal, and epidemic diseases.

In the future, we hope our courses will extend to high schools across Thailand as well as other parts of Southeast Asia,” she added.

The 10 pilot high schools in the projects are Triamudom Suksa, Princess Chulabhorn Science High Schools Pathum Thani, Sarawittaya, Sa-Nguan Ying, Prachaniwet, Banbangkapi, Kasetsart University Laboratory School, the Srinakharinwirot University Prasarnmit Demonstration School (Secondary), the Bangkok Christian College, and the Sarasas Witaed Suksa.

A preliminary survey among the 10 pilot schools in the central region shows respiratory disorders caused by PM2.5 threat and dengue fever have affected students’ health and learning.

, vice president of Digital at Chevron Thailand, said, “The ‘Piloting the One Health Core Competency Course for High School Students’ aims to develop educational personnel at secondary schools, fostering awareness among students and their peers.”