Nakhon Si Thammarat – Walailak University, led by Dr. Phetcharat Boonruamkaew and Assistant Professor Dr. Nattikan Nokkeaw from the School of Pharmacy, has launched a community service project under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) titled “Backpack Weight Check and Proper Packing Guidance.” The initiative aims to promote children’s health and reduce the burden on bones and muscles caused by improper backpack use.
Over the course of the project, the working team carried out seven field visits that included seeking community cooperation, assessing and weighing students’ backpacks, providing knowledge on backpack selection and proper carrying techniques, as well as collecting evaluation data for impact assessment.
The activities were held at the Border Patrol Police School Ban Lang Ai Mee in Cha-uat District, and Border Patrol Police School Ban Huai Tong in Nopphitam District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. The assessments primarily focused on Grade 6 students, including children of migrant workers. Students were guided to practice arranging their belongings so that backpack weight did not exceed 10–15% of their body weight. Recommendations included placing heavier or larger items close to the back and lighter items toward the outside, thereby reducing musculoskeletal strain.
In addition to hands-on demonstrations, faculty members provided further guidance to ensure proper understanding, and distributed educational leaflets to students, teachers, and parents as reference materials. The team also taught stretching and exercise techniques designed to alleviate discomfort caused by improper backpack carrying.
Beyond this, the project team visited schools affiliated with the Nakhon Si Thammarat Special Education Center to conduct activities that support the development of vulnerable students with special needs. Through play-based exercises, children practiced both gross and fine motor skills as well as speech training, supporting their physical and communication development.
This initiative highlights Walailak University’s commitment to leveraging academic knowledge in support of sustainable student health development. It aligns with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, reaffirming the university’s mission as a “University for the Community.”
