Mr. Bundit Jiamanukoonkit, Chief Executive Officer of Prudential Thailand, together with Associate Professor Dr.Prattana Punnakitikashem, Dean College of Management, Mahidol University (CMMU), and Associate Professor Dr. Wattana Weerachatyanukul, Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs and Salaya Affairs, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, jointly signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance a megatrend research initiative entitled “Assessing the Health Impacts of Climate Change on Sustainable Development in Thailand”. The project is supported by Prudence Foundation, the community investment and philanthropic arm of Prudential plc, and was officially launched at the College of Management, Mahidol University.
Mr. Bundit Jiamanukoonkit, Chief Executive Officer of Prudential Thailand, said, “Climate change is one of the most pressing global challenges of our time, with direct implications for public health and overall quality of life. At Prudential Thailand, we are committed to helping build resilience within Thai society through investments in knowledge creation and research. Our collaboration with Mahidol University will enable us to translate academic insights into practical risk management applications, laying an important foundation for the development of strategies and insurance solutions that address the evolving needs of consumers in an increasingly dynamic world”.
Associate Professor Dr.Prattana Punnakitikashem, Dean College of Management, Mahidol University, commented, “The College of Management, Mahidol University (CMMU), is pleased to participate in this collaboration, as we recognize climate change and its health-related consequences as critical challenges that require evidence-based research and cross-sector cooperation. By combining CMMU’s expertise in research and policy development with Prudential Thailand’s experience in risk management, this partnership aims to generate actionable insights that can support effective adaptation strategies and strengthen the resilience of Thai society in a tangible and sustainable manner”.
This collaboration establishes a multidisciplinary research framework that integrates expertise from academia, the private sector, and internationally renowned scholars to advance knowledge and develop practical approaches for addressing climate-related health risks in Thailand. The research project is led by Associate Professor Dr.Suparak Suriyankiatkaew, Assistant Dean, Business and Community Relations College of Management, Mahidol University, as Principal Investigator. Assistant Professor Dr. Pairote Satiracoo serves as Lead of the Actuarial Modelling Team, while Ms. Rosalin Yunipan, a doctoral candidate, oversees project management. The initiative also benefits from the academic contributions of distinguished international scholars, including Professor Dr. Pavel V. Shevchenko of Macquarie University, a leading expert in quantitative risk modelling, and Professor Dr. Philip Hallinger of the College of Management, Mahidol University, an internationally recognized authority in leadership and organizational change. Both scholars are widely acknowledged for their highly cited academic contributions and global impact in their respective fields.
Research outcomes will be published in the form of bilingual Thai English White Papers, actuarial forecasting reports, and policy briefs. These deliverables are intended to support evidence-based public policymaking in Thailand while contributing to the advancement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the areas of health, climate action, and sustainable development.
