Walailak University (WU), in collaboration with the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (OPS MHESI), Wat Cha-uat School, and Ban Cha-uat Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital, organized the fourth community outreach activity under the “Volunteer Heartbeat: Learning Science for Community Heart Health” project. Featuring a cardiovascular health exhibition, the activity connected scientific and health knowledge with students, parents, and the local community while empowering university students to apply classroom knowledge through socially engaged academic service. The initiative contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3, SDG 4, and SDG 17.
On 29 August 2026, Walailak University (WU) organized the fourth community outreach activity, “Cardiovascular Health Exhibition,” under the project “Volunteer Heartbeat: Learning Science for Community Heart Health” at Wat Cha-uat School, under Nakhon Si Thammarat Primary Educational Service Area Office 3, Ban Cha-uat Subdistrict, Chulabhorn District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. The activity brought together Grade 4–6 students, parents, teachers, healthcare personnel, Walailak University students and staff, and representatives from the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (OPS MHESI).
The project is led by Associate Professor Dr. Punsiri Dam-o Adamczyk from the School of Science and Assistant Professor Dr. Sukanya Phuengphong from the School of Medicine, Walailak University, in collaboration with Wat Cha-uat School and Ban Cha-uat Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital. The initiative integrates scientific and health knowledge into a community-based learning process designed to help young people, families, and community members apply knowledge of cardiovascular health to their everyday lives.
As the fourth outreach activity of the project, the event highlighted the active role of Walailak University students in designing, planning, and facilitating learning activities for school students. The program began with a review of heart anatomy and the circulatory system using an anatomical model, followed by learning activities on nutrition, the five food groups, physical activity, and healthy behaviors that support cardiovascular health. Students also submitted their “Heart Diaries,” in which they had recorded their health-related behaviors, allowing the project team to monitor their progress and encourage continued reflection and positive behavioral change.
Another important feature of the activity was the extension of learning from students to their families and the wider community. Ban Cha-uat Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital provided health services and health-promotion activities, including blood glucose testing, mental health education, and practical guidance on measuring salt levels in food. Meanwhile, the Walailak University team conducted a post-test to evaluate students’ learning outcomes and engaged in discussions with students and parents to gather feedback and assess the outcomes of their participation in the project.
One of the highlights of the day was the “Iron Chef – Heart-Healthy Menu” competition, featuring nine participating teams. Students and parents worked together to present heart-healthy dishes and explain the name of each dish, its ingredients, cost, nutritional value, and the reasons why it was suitable for promoting cardiovascular health. Beyond being a cooking competition, the activity encouraged families to translate nutritional knowledge into practical meal choices that could be prepared and adopted in everyday household life.
During the event, Walailak University students also presented the project’s implementation and outcomes to the evaluation committee of the Youth Volunteer Project from OPS MHESI. Their presentation highlighted the project process, activities, outcomes, photographs, and videos illustrating the participation and learning experiences of stakeholders. This provided university students with an opportunity to further develop their communication, teamwork, community engagement, evaluation, and reflective skills while demonstrating how academic knowledge can be applied to address real-world community needs.
During the closing ceremony, Mr. Chaiyut Makliang, Director of Ban Cha-uat Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital, summarized the health-related activities and encouraged community members to continue taking an active role in caring for their cardiovascular health. Mr. Surin Makliang, Director of Wat Cha-uat School, formally closed the event. Awards for the heart-healthy menu competition were also presented, while participating students received certificates, “Volunteer Heartbeat Youth” commemorative keychains, and their Heart Diaries.
Although the cardiovascular health exhibition marked the conclusion of the fourth outreach activity, the project’s learning process continues beyond the event. The university student team scheduled a follow-up with participating school students after 30 days to review their Heart Diaries. This follow-up is intended to ensure that the knowledge gained through the project extends beyond a one-day activity and contributes to sustained health awareness and behavioral change, while encouraging young participants to share what they have learned with their families and communities.
The “Volunteer Heartbeat: Learning Science for Community Heart Health” project reflects Walailak University’s commitment to translating academic knowledge and student potential beyond the classroom into meaningful service to society. Through collaboration among the university, school, local healthcare services, government agencies, young people, parents, and community members, the project creates opportunities for experiential learning while contributing to the health and well-being of the local community.
The initiative directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, by promoting knowledge and healthy behaviors related to cardiovascular health; SDG 4: Quality Education, by providing experiential and community-based learning opportunities for both university and school students; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, by strengthening collaboration among Walailak University, OPS MHESI, Wat Cha-uat School, Ban Cha-uat Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital, parents, and the local community in advancing health, education, and sustainable community development.