Suan Dusit University (SDU) has continuously advanced its mission to promote community health and well-being under the vision of becoming a “University for a Well-being Society.” The university recognizes that improving health at every stage of life is essential to enhancing quality of life and fostering sustainable development. Guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDU integrates academic knowledge, community service, research, and volunteer engagement to develop practical, community-based health initiatives that lead to measurable social impact.
In 2024, SDU implemented several outreach activities that address multiple dimensions of health—physical fitness, mental wellness, environmental health, and the care of vulnerable populations. These initiatives demonstrate the university’s leadership as a “Learning Hub for Community Well-being,” connecting education, community collaboration, and practical knowledge.
The first activity, “Healthy and Happy SDU SP Walk & Run 2024,” was organized by the Suan Dusit University Suphan Buri Campus in collaboration with the SDU Confucius Institute Alumni Association. The event promoted physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle among students, alumni, university personnel, athletes, and local residents, engaging 496 participants. It helped foster a culture of exercise and strengthened relationships between the university and the local community in Suphan Buri Province.
The second activity, “Good Health and Wellness,” took place on 17 August 2024, jointly organized by SDU’s Faculty of Education and Faculty of Nursing, in collaboration with the Dusit District Office and Navamindradhiraj University’s Faculty of Nursing. The workshop focused on “Disease Prevention, First Aid, and Hygiene Practices” for childcare volunteers in Bangkok’s Dusit District. The opening ceremony was presided over by Mr. Tienchai Wongsuwan, Deputy Director of Dusit District Office. The activity strengthened local caregivers’ health knowledge and skills for protecting children’s well-being.
The third project, “Learn and Earn: Happy Aging (Batch 3),” was held from 3–4 September 2024 at the Suphan Buri Campus. The programme was designed to empower elderly citizens through lifelong learning and practical health education. Participants engaged in lectures and hands-on workshops on topics such as exercise for seniors, nutrition, preventive care, self-care products, and healthy cooking. The project was supported by the Association of the Elderly under the Royal Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra, with strong participation from the local aging community.
Another significant initiative was the “Low-Carbon Community for Healthy Living through Waste Separation Practices” project, organized by SDU’s Faculty of Science and Technology and Faculty of Nursing, in partnership with the Kanlapaphruek Community (Phasi Charoen District). Supported by the Fundamental Fund (FF), the project aimed to promote environmental health awareness and pollution prevention through proper waste management and reusable materials. Fifty-nine community members participated and received learning kits, including waste separation bins and educational manuals. The project aligns with both SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
Collectively, these outreach programmes reflect SDU’s dedication to holistic health promotion across individual, community, and policy levels. The outcomes include improved health literacy among local residents, stronger partnerships between the university, public agencies, and communities, and the empowerment of students and staff as Health Ambassadors who can sustain health initiatives within their own communities.
SDU has publicly disseminated the results of these activities through its official website (https://www.dusit.ac.th) and the university’s SDG portal (https://sdg.dusit.ac.th), ensuring transparency and accessibility for the public while serving as a model for other higher education institutions seeking to integrate health outreach into sustainable development frameworks.
In conclusion, Suan Dusit University’s community health outreach mission demonstrates a seamless integration of academic expertise, professional collaboration, and social engagement. Through diverse programmes—ranging from exercise and disease prevention to elderly care and environmental health—SDU exemplifies its role as a national model of a health-promoting university, committed to improving quality of life and building a healthy, sustainable society for all.