Niwat Keawpradub, president of the Prince of Songkla University in Thailand, says the Lancang-Mekong area is one of the regions that boasts the greatest development potential in Asia.

"The pandemic has impacted the lives of many people. It is imperative that we focus on finding solutions that enhance the well-being of people," he says. "This context should encourage our youth to take action to build a great community around this shared river."

Pawinee Tongjinsang, who majors in business English at the Prince of Songkla University, says the experience of taking part in the competition has sharpened her skills in translation and her understanding of marketing principles.

The 21-year-old and her teammates developed a telehealth system that will be accessible via the internet and mobile phones using both the IOS and Android operating software. The system is aimed at reducing overcrowding at hospitals and increasing the efficiency of healthcare in the region.

Developed in collaboration with medical professionals and hospitals, the remote medical service system will include sections on healthcare information, counseling and medical diagnosis.