On 15 July 2021, the Royal Thai Embassy, London, hosted a webinar entitled “Think Globally, Act Locally”, featuring Prof. Lertrak Srikitjakarn & Patipat Susumpow, PODD Team, Chiang Mai University, winners of University of Cambridge’s “Trinity Challenge 2021”, with Ambassador Pisanu Suvanajata of Thailand as moderator.

The PODD Team shared their experiences and success story in inventing “PODD” (Participatory Onehealth Disease Detection), which is a collaboration between Chiang Mai University and Open Dream, in developing a system of surveillance and control of zoonotic diseases that could possibly infect humans and cause economic losses to the community. PODD is deliberated as a mobile phone application that synergises coordination among various actors, from villagers, volunteers, academic institutes, private start-up, local government units, to central government agencies, making it more efficient and agile in terms of rapid response to pandemic control and preparedness. PODD has won many international awards, most recently the University of Cambridge’s Trinity Challenge 2021, worth GBP 1.3 million.

The PODD Team reiterated their commitment and vision to build on the success of PODD for further utilization in pandemic control, both in Thailand, ASEAN, and South Asia. The success story and global mindset of PODD team, that “Think Globally and Act Locally” for the benefit of mankind is indeed a pride for Thailand and her people.