The Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, in collaboration with the Office of Organizational Health Support, Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), organized the event “Transforming the Future with Happy U2U Innovation” on Thursday, August 21, 2025, from 12:30 to 15:30 at the Prachasangkom Udompathana Room (101), IPSR Mahidol University, and via Zoom Meeting.
This event featured an exhibition of innovative works on “Happy Universities” to disseminate knowledge, share best practices, and inspire university networks, government agencies, the private sector, and civil society to advance the “Happy University” national policy.
The event was honored by the presence of Prof. Dr. Piyamitr Sritara, President of Mahidol University, delivering the welcome and opening remarks, Asst. Prof. Dr. Nucharapon Liangruenrom, Deputy Director for Academic Affairs, IPSR Mahidol University, and Head of the Happy University Academic Centre towards Sustainable Health Promotion, delivering the project report, and Mr. Pongsak Thongratana, Director of the Office of Organizational Health Support, ThaiHealth, giving a keynote lecture on “ThaiHealth and the Promotion of Health in Thai Universities.”
Additionally, an academic panel discussion on the theme “Happy Universities toward a Sustainable Happy Thai Society” was held, with the following speakers: 1) Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dr. Yonlapat Areerob, Acting Director of KMITL Lifelong Learning Center (KLLC) 2) Dr. Natthaprat Nantiwatkun, Faculty of Business Administration (Finance and Economics), Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi 3) Asst. Prof. Dr. Nucharapon Liangruenrom, Head of the Academic Center for Happy Universities, IPSR Mahidol University 4) Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sirinan Kittisuksathit, Manager of the Happy University Academic Centre towards Sustainable Health Promotion, IPSR Mahidol University. The session was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Charamporn Holumyong, IPSR Mahidol University
The Happy University Project – Phase IV was a collaboration among university networks under the support of ThaiHealth, with IPSR serving as the coordinating hub. The project aimed to develop universities as environments where staff and students enjoy good quality of life, happiness, and healthy behaviors, further evolving into “Healthy Learning Organizations” aligned with the Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Strategy (2020–2027) to drive Thai universities toward international standards.
Over the course of the project, surveillance and assessment covered nine dimensions of well-being: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, family, social, intellectual, financial, and occupational/academic health. The findings were applied to policy, organizational quality improvement, and as supporting evidence for the EdPEx criteria and Voice of Customer for various higher education institutions.
The closing event brought together representatives from the Happy University network, government agencies, and relevant organizations to exchange insights and strengthen collaboration for improving the quality of life and well-being of staff and students, ultimately contributing to the sustainable advancement of Thailand’s higher education system.
For more photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=IPSRMAHIDOLUNIVERSITY&set=a.1240905434500197
