On September 7, 2026, at the Nipa Garden Hotel in Surat Thani Province, Walailak University—led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sarawut Palipoch, Vice President, alongside Asst. Prof. Dr. Onphen Sukawalli, Dean of the School of Nursing, Prof. Dr. Saifon Aekwarangkoon, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Jannet Pollaphat—officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health (Service Units in Health Region 11).

The signing ceremony featured distinguished health leaders representing the Ministry of Public Health, including Dr. Tanarak Plipat, Inspector General of the Ministry of Public Health (acting on behalf of the Permanent Secretary); Dr. Thanit Sermkaew, Chief Medical Officer of Health Region 11; Dr. Anu Thongdaeng, Chief Medical Officer of the Surat Thani Provincial Public Health Office; and Dr. Panithan Suemanotham, Director of Surat Thani Hospital.

This collaboration marks a significant step toward concrete cooperation across four key pillars:

• Healthcare Personnel Production: Accelerating the development of high-capability healthcare professionals to meet modern systemic demands.

• Educational Management: Enhancing curricula and instruction to match practical, real-world applications.

• Research & Innovation: Fostering medical research and innovative solutions tailored to local regional challenges.

• Academic Services: Elevating community care and the overall quality of life for residents across Southern Thailand.

This joint force between Walailak University and the Ministry of Public Health strongly underscores their shared commitment: “Co-creating Talent, Co-creating Knowledge, Co-developing the Health System” to establish a resilient and sustainable healthcare foundation for the region.