Walailak University’s Tracking Women Graduation

31Oct 2024 by Kittipong Bunlear

Sustainability and Stewardship

Since its founding, women have consistently made up most of the student population at Walailak University. In 2023, the number of female graduates was 1,581 while the number of male graduates was 599. This demonstrates Walailak University’s commitment to providing equal educational opportunities for women. However, despite their majority, it remains important to monitor the graduation rates of female students compared to their male counterparts to ensure equitable outcomes.

The Center for Educational Services is the organization at Walailak University that is responsible for recording the number of female graduates and tracking the likelihood of female students’ graduation. All the data will be sent to the Division of Student Support and Development which is an organization responsible for providing schemes to close any gap preventing the graduation of female students.

Measuring and Tracking the Likelihood of Female Students’ Graduation

The Center for Educational Services (CES) at Walailak University is responsible for monitoring and tracking the graduation likelihood of female students. To facilitate this, the CES has developed a website that collects and displays numerical data, including the number of female graduates. The platform also tracks additional data related to SDG 5 and other SDGs. Each year, CES publicly tracks and publishes the data on female graduates, allowing for comparison with male graduates and providing transparency in tracking female students’ graduation rates. All the data that has been tracked is shown publicly. The website can be reached at https://ces.wu.ac.th/registrar/refer/sdg2.asp?d=&y=2566&lang=

The tracking of female graduates and the likelihood of their graduation at Walailak University is carried out by various departments within the Center for Educational Services (CES), including the General Administration Department, Registration Department, Education and Examination Department, and System Analysis and Information System Department. Once the data is collected and published on the CES website, an annual meeting is held to discuss the trends in female graduation rates compared to male students.

During the meeting, CES members analyze the gathered data, focusing on identifying risks and factors contributing to higher attrition rates among female students. These factors may include poor academic performance, limited financial aid, insufficient scholarships, lack of accessible resources, health issues, and more. After thorough discussion, the data and insights are forwarded to the Division of Student Support and Development to develop strategies aimed at addressing these issues and closing the graduation gap for female students.

Figures: The CES Director, and members in the annual meeting of the center in which the number of women graduates was discussed to analyze trends and barriers deterring women students from applying and participating.

WU consistently tracks the number of male and female students across each School to ensure that women have equal opportunities alongside men. The university organizes this data by academic year, highlighting variations in applicant numbers, enrollments, and graduates, as illustrated in the bar graphs below:

Figure: Academic Year 2023.

The steady increase in female enrollment at Walailak University demonstrates the institution’s dedication to gender equality, ensuring that women have opportunities on par with men. This commitment to inclusivity is evident in the university’s high percentage of female applicants, consistently exceeding 80% over the past three years.

Female Enrollment Rate Compared to Male Enrollment (%)

2021:
- - Male Applicant Percentage: 17.49%
  - Female Applicant Percentage: 82.51%

2022:

- - Male Applicant Percentage: 18.72%
  - Female Applicant Percentage: 81.28%

2023:
- - Male Applicant Percentage: 18.94%
  - Female Applicant Percentage: 81.06%

Female applicants consistently comprised over 80% of the applicant pool from 2021 to 2023, with rates of 82.51%, 81.28%, and 81.06%, respectively. This significant representation highlights WU’s appeal to female students and reflects the supportive, inclusive environment provided for women.

Female Graduation Rate Compared to Female Enrollment (%)

2021:
- - Male Percentage: 55.88%
  - Female Percentage: 70.03%

2022:
- - Male Percentage: 37.64%
  - Female Percentage: 45.58%

2023:
- - Male Percentage: 55.46%
  - Female Percentage: 69.86%

Graduation rates for female students, although slightly fluctuating, also reflect positive outcomes. Rates showed strong performance in 2021 at 70.03%, dipped to 45.58% in 2022, and rebounded to 69.86% in 2023. These figures collectively underscore Walailak University’s commitment to fostering an equitable academic space that empowers women to succeed.

Figure: The percentage of female students compared to male students who enrolled and graduated at Walailak University in the academic year 2021-2023.

As the graph above, the exact number represents female students’ success rate on graduation is rising in 2023.

Over the past three years, female graduates have consistently outnumbered male graduates, with women accounting for 1,581 of the graduates in 2023 compared to 599 men. This trend reflects Walailak University’s inclusive academic policies and commitment to providing equal educational opportunities. By consistently monitoring these statistics and openly sharing data on female enrollment and graduation rates, the university underscores its dedication to transparency and accountability.

The tracking efforts and support services provided by Walailak University foster an environment where female students can thrive academically and professionally. This commitment to ongoing improvement not only strengthens WU’s reputation as a leader in gender diversity in higher education but also ensures that women at WU are empowered to achieve their full potential in all fields of study.

The Division of Student Support and Development

The Division of Student Support and Development is the main organization at Walailak University that is responsible for organizing schemes and initiatives to tackle all the factors that potentially cause attrition rates among female students to ensure that all female students can graduate as male students to improve educational equality for all. Upon receiving the data from the Center for Educational Services, the Division of Student Support and Development will discuss and set strategies for implementing schemes to close gaps preventing graduation among female students.

Figures: The Division of Student Support and Development organize a meeting to discuss its plans and strategies on its works, including the schemes for reducing the gap preventing graduation of female students.

Over the years, the Division of Student Support and Development has implemented various initiatives to close the graduation gap for female students. These initiatives include:

- - WU Tutor Center – A dedicated center focused on enhancing the academic performance of female students, aimed at increasing their likelihood of graduation.

- - Smile and Smart Center – A center offering comprehensive consulting services to female students on university life, mental health, and other personal matters, helping to ensure their overall well-being and success throughout their academic journey.

- - Scholarship Services – A mission to provide financial aid and scholarships to female students from disadvantaged backgrounds, ensuring they have the necessary support to complete their studies and graduate.

WU Tutor Center

The WU Tutor Center plays a pivotal role in closing the graduation rate gap among female students at Walailak University. Recognizing that poor academic performance can lead to higher attrition rates, particularly among female students, the university has implemented targeted support measures through the center. By providing comprehensive tutoring assistance and mentoring sessions, the WU Tutor Center ensures that female students with academic challenges receive personalized help that addresses their unique needs. This support system fosters a deeper understanding of course materials, reinforces retention, and boosts learning outcomes, which directly contributes to higher academic success and, ultimately, graduation rates.

Each year, over 1,500 female students benefit from the tutoring programs offered by the center. These programs focus on reviewing previous material, clarifying difficult concepts, and developing effective study strategies, all of which help female students overcome academic obstacles. As a result, the center has become an essential resource for female students striving to improve their performance and stay on track for graduation. Through its tailored approach, the WU Tutor Center has significantly contributed to reducing the academic performance gap, ensuring that female students can achieve the same graduation rates as their peers.

Figures: The WU female students participating in tutoring programs.

Life Mentoring Scheme

The Smile and Smart Center, part of the Division of Student Support and Development at Walailak University, plays a vital role in supporting female students through mentorship, academic guidance, and personal development programs. The center provides tailored support for students dealing with stress, depression, anxiety, or personal challenges, ensuring they have access to the right resources for a positive university experience. With a dedicated team of advisors and a psychologist, the center offers comprehensive assistance, addressing concerns related to academic performance, family issues, mental health, and social adjustment.

By providing this holistic support, the Smile and Smart Center plays a critical role in reducing the gap in the graduation rate of female students. Many female students face unique challenges that can impact their ability to complete their studies, such as balancing academic pressures with personal or family responsibilities, navigating mental health issues, or adapting to the social environment of the university. These challenges, if left unaddressed, can lead to higher dropout rates.

The mentorship and counseling provided by the center not only help female students overcome these obstacles but also empower them to stay engaged in their studies. This supportive environment encourages female students to thrive both academically and personally, reducing the likelihood of them leaving the university. By fostering a sense of belonging and resilience, the Smile and Smart Center helps close the gap in graduation rates, ensuring more female students complete their degrees and achieve their full potential.

Figures: A group of female students participating in a mentoring session with a staff of the.

Scholarships

Scholarships play a pivotal role in closing the gap in the graduation rate of female students at Walailak University. Financial barriers are one of the most significant challenges that can disrupt a student’s academic journey, particularly for female students who may also face additional societal and family responsibilities. By offering substantial financial aid through programs like the General Scholarship, Walailak University ensures that female students can focus on their studies without the stress of financial burdens. In the academic year 2023, 318 female students, accounting for 77.56% of scholarship recipients, benefited from this support. This highlights the university’s proactive efforts to provide the resources necessary for female students to complete their education.

Additionally, the university’s commitment to educational equality extends beyond local students, as evidenced by the 30 annual scholarships available to international students, including female students from ASEAN and non-ASEAN countries. By offering these scholarships, Walailak University creates a more inclusive and supportive academic environment, enabling female students from diverse backgrounds to overcome financial obstacles. This comprehensive financial support directly impacts graduation rates by reducing dropout risks associated with financial difficulties, empowering female students to persist through challenges and complete their degrees. Through these scholarships, Walailak University effectively bridges the gap in graduation rates, ensuring female students have equal opportunities to succeed academically and professionally.