In an era when health is deeply connected to quality of life, learning, and social sustainability, Suan Dusit University (SDU) recognizes its vital role as a “model for well-being”—a higher education institution that not only imparts academic knowledge but also fosters a learning ecosystem that promotes physical, mental, and social health for all.
Under the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDU has continuously developed collaborative networks with local and national health institutions to promote health and improve the well-being of its students, staff, and surrounding communities.
Such collaborations demonstrate that a university not only manages its internal health initiatives but also integrates external expertise and resources to advance research, prevention, and behavioral change in health systems.
SDU’s Collaborative Phenomena in Health Promotion
During 2024–2025, Suan Dusit University has shown remarkable leadership in promoting health and well-being through a variety of strategic partnerships and activities, including:
- Project “Love in Teen + LGBTQ+: Sexual Awareness and Reproductive Health” Organized by the Faculty of Nursing, in collaboration with the Department of Health’s Bureau of Reproductive Health, Ministry of Public Health, this project provided education on sexual awareness, reproductive health, and acceptance of gender diversity among first-year students from six faculties. The initiative aligns with SDG 3.7 (access to sexual and reproductive health education) and SDG 5 (gender equality).
- MOU with Jetts Fitness and Arena Hua Hin Sports Club
These partnerships aim to promote physical health and positive body image by providing access to modern sports facilities, professional guidance, and regular exercise programs—creating a “Healthy University Culture” that bridges education and well-being. - Community-based health promotion and disease prevention activities
These include nutrition education, environmental health promotion, and mental health awareness programs conducted in collaboration with local public health offices and hospitals in communities surrounding SDU’s regional campuses.
Outcomes and Significance
These collaborations have generated multidimensional impacts:
- Health and well-being of students and staff: Students and personnel now have regular access to health-promoting activities and adopt healthier lifestyles and self-care behaviors.
- Learning and life skills: Students gain practical experience from professional health educators, developing into Health Ambassadors within the university community.
- Social collaboration: SDU has become a regional hub for connecting public, private, and community sectors in health promotion and preventive health education.
Toward Sustainable Well-being
The continuous health partnerships at SDU illustrate a transition from “health activities” to a structured “university health policy system.” This transformation reflects the creation of a University Health Promotion Model, fully aligned with THE Sustainability Impact Ratings under SDG 3. It embodies a sustainable culture of health that extends beyond individuals to the entire institutional ecosystem.
Conclusion
Suan Dusit University views health not merely as a physical condition but as a state of balanced and sustainable living.Through collaborations with health institutions—covering education, disease prevention, health promotion, and policy development—SDU exemplifies the role of a university as a driving force for well-being in Thai society. These partnerships reinforce SDU’s position as a university committed to social responsibility, inclusivity, and lifelong well-being for all.
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