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Walailak University: The Guardian of Arts and Heritage

04Nov 2023 by Krittayot Ritthijak

Sustainability and Stewardship

Walailak University: The Guardian of Arts and Heritage

Preserving and reviving cultural traditions, fine arts, and applied arts to make Walailak University a community hub is one of the four key missions that Walailak University is committed to pursuing continuously. This mission is aligned with the university’s 20-year strategic plan (BE 2561-2580), specifically under the first strategic focus: Advancing Research Excellence, Academic Services, and Art and Cultural Heritage Preservation, in response to the country’s development. Walailak University has undertaken a strong and continuous effort in cultural preservation and revitalization. In 2022, the university established collaborations with both internal and external organizations to drive local and national arts and heritage projects, totaling over 30 programmes. The goals of these efforts are outlined in four main objectives.

Objective 1: Promoting Local and National Cultural Traditions

This objective focuses on promoting local and national cultural traditions, emphasizing the creation of awareness, pride, and participation in the preservation of one’s regional cultural heritage. This approach leads to the sustainable conservation and promotion of cultural traditions. It involves creativity, adaptation, and changes in the current context of preserving and promoting local and national cultural traditions. In 2022, Walailak University promoted local and national cultural traditions in the following ways:

  1. Monastic Fire Offering for Warm Meals in Winter: On Saturday, January 22, 2022, Walailak University participated in a Fire Offering Ceremony at Wat Sennaram, Tha Sala Sub-district, Tha Sala District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. This ceremony aimed to preserve the tradition of offering warm meals for Buddhist monks in the winter, a native cultural heritage of Nakhon Si Thammarat.

2. Annual Merit-making Ceremony at Toompang Archeological Site: On March 11, 2022, Walailak University organized the annual blessing ritual at Toompang. This event took place at the Toompang Archeological Site.

3.Walailak Songkran Joy Delivery: On April 7-8, 2022, Walailak University held the “Walailak Songkran Joy Delivery” event in collaboration with the Center for Academic Service. The event involved presenting gifts and blessings to the elderly in the Satit Walailak Community development area as part of the “Walailak Songkran: Preserving Traditions” event in 2022.

4.Songkran’s Preserving Local and National Culture: On April 12, 2022, Walailak University organized the “Songkran’s Preserving Local and National Culture” event. It was held at the Chor Pradu Chamber, 4th floor, Walailak University Hospital, with a focus on cultural preservation.

5.The Toompang’s Groundbreaking Ceremony: On May 9, 2022, Walailak University organized a groundbreaking ceremony at the Toompang Archeological Site. The tradition is believed to bring good fortune and prosperity to the building.

6.Casting a Buddha Image and Landscaping at Dhamma Square: This programmed aimed to develop a green area in the student dormitory into a serene religious space. It included casting a statue of Buddha and engaging students to be part of the development process at the university’s Dhamma Square.

7.Buddhist Lent Candle Casting: On July 8, 2022, the Center of Cultural and Sports Promotion, Art and Culture Preservation Department, in collaboration with the Buddhist Student Club and Wat Khlong Din, organized an annual Buddhist Lent Candle Casting event. This event aimed to perpetuate the teachings of Buddhism and preserve this beautiful tradition. The Buddhist lent candles were offered in nine temples near Walailak University.

8.Nora the Southern Cultural Dance Show: On September 1, 2022, Walailak University hosted a Nora Southern Cultural Dance Show at Bota Green Market Chic & Chill. This project aimed to contribute the local performance art of Southern Thailand.

9. Traditional Southern Thai Cradle Song Competition for the Prestigious Royal Award: During the Festival of the Tenth Lunar Month (Sat Duan Sip) and Red Cross Fair in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Walailak University, in collaboration with Nakhon Si Thammarat Province and Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Administration Organization, organized a competition for the 5th Traditional Southern Thai Cradle Song. The competition aimed to present the Prestigious Royal Award bestowed by Her Royal Highness Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, on September 27, 2022, at the cultural competition stage in front of the Municipal Office in Mueang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province.

10.Walailak Loy Krathong 2022: On November 8, 2022, Walailak University hosted the “Walailak Loy Krathong” event, reviving the beautiful cultural tradition to be cherished within Thai society. The event is located at Ploenta Square in front of the Thaiburi Hall Building, Walailak University.

11. Alms-giving Ceremony: On July 4, 2022, at Walailak University, an alms-giving ceremony was held to commemorate the occasion similar to the birthday of Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Walailak Agrarajakumari, the Royal Consort, Granddaughter of King Rama IX.

12. Senior Appreciation Event: Love and Harmony in Walailak 2022: On September 14, 2022, Walailak University organized the event, promoting love and unity among senior employees and staff members of the university on their retirement.

13.Wai Khru Ceremony: On June 30, 2022, Walailak University held the annual Wai Khru Ceremony, showing gratitude and respect to the teaching staff.

14.Robe Offering at Saengrang Temple in the Year 2022: On November 5, 2022, Walailak University participated as the host of the robe offering ceremony at Saeng rang Temple, a tradition held annually.

15.Thai Classical Music Club: From December 25 to 28, 2022, the Thai Classical Music Club of Walailak University participated in the 45th Thai Higher Education Music Festival, themed “Musical Arts Excellence in Tribute to the Great Royal Patronage” at Buriram Rajabhat University in Buriram Province.

16.Christmas and New Year Festival: On December 12, 2022, the Student Council, Christian Club, Buddhist Student Club, Walailak Music Club, WU Cover Dance Club, Walailak University International College Students Club, and the School of Liberal Arts organized the “Christmas and New Year Festival 2023” at the Architecture and Design Building.

17.Thai Classical Music Club: Between December 10 and 12, 2022, the Thai Classical Music Club of Walailak University participated in a training session with 12 institutes from the southern region at Surat Thani Rajabhat University.

18.Birthday Merit-Making: On October 26, 2022, students organized the first birthday merit-making ceremony at Khlong Din Temple, Tha Sala District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. Additionally, on November 23, 2022, a second birthday merit-making ceremony was organized, inviting students born in November and other participants, named “Blissful November” event at Saeng rang Temple, Tha Sala District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province.

19.Stay and Savor Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Heritage: On July 13, 2022, students participated in the Buddhist Lent named “Ma-Nakhon-Non-Wat” event, organized by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation and community network. The event included a walking street, Manohra dance performances, folk music performances, a light waving rite, and a symposium to discuss with others.

20.Cultural Trip for International Students: On August 17, 2022, Walailak University organized a cultural trip for international students to the Phramahathat Woramahawihan Temple and the City Pillar Shrine.

21.WU Ensemble Club Joins in Singing and Performing the University Anthem: On Monday, July 4, 2022, in the auditorium of the Thaiburi building, Ms. Pavirasa Praditsorn and Asst. Prof. Doctor Chuthamat Rattikansukha, a General Education lecturer, led the leading vocalists and violinists from the WU Ensemble Club in singing and performing the university anthem. The choir was conducted to respectfully engage the university’s emblem as an offering on the auspicious occasion of Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Walailak Agrarajakumari’s birthday.

22.National Thai Language Day 2022: On National Thai Language Day 2022, the School of Languages and General Education, Walailak University, invited foreign teachers to share trendy quotations and captions from social media in the Thai language.

23.The lecturer from the Thai Dance Education Major Participates as an Honored Guest in the Thai Sacred Ceremony to Indoctrinate the Art Pupils at Phuket Simon Cabaret: On October 23, 2022, Associate Professor Dr. Sawit Pongvat, a lecturer from the Thai Dance Education Major, School of Liberal Arts, Walailak University, was invited as an honored guest in the Thai Sacred Ceremony to Indoctrinate the Art Pupilsof Khon, the Thai traditional masked dance drama, and performing arts at the Phuket Simon Cabaret theatre. The ceremony also included Khru Paitoon Khemkhaeng, a National Artist in the field of Performing Arts (Thai Dance – Khon), who participated in the Wai Khru Ceremony.

24.Student-Teacher Activity: On June 30, 2022, the School of Management organized the “Student-Teacher Activity” as part of its student development program. The activity aimed to encourage students to express their gratitude and respect for their teachers. Faculty members and students from the School of Management participated in this warm and meaningful event.

25.Robe Offering at Khao Noi Temple: On October 29, 2022, instructors and students from the School of Management joined the Robe Offering ceremony at Khao Noi Temple, Karhaw District, Nopphitam District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, to contribute to the temple restoration fund.

26.Merit-Making Ceremony on New Year’s Day 2022: On January 10, 2022, a merit-making ceremony was held in the first-floor conference room, Wittayakarn Building 2, Walailak University International College of Dentistry to celebrate the New Year 2022 and the commencement of the 3rd academic term of 2021. The ceremony aimed to bring prosperity and success to the faculty members, staff, and students at both the undergraduate and graduate.

Objective 2: Arts and Culture Research

The university places a high importance on research in the fields of arts and culture. the university aimed to produce knowledge in arts, culture, and archaeology, leading to the development and promotion of learning through technology. Furthermore, the university intends to bring the research findings to benefit local communities in the cultural dimension, which will contribute to the value of tourism, community products, and the preservation of cultural heritage learning in a restless society. In 2022, the university conducted research in arts and culture, as follows:

  1. “Walailak Abode of Culture.” Art and Cultural Heritage Excavation Project in the Southern Region at Toompang Archaeological Site.

2.”Nora Performing Arts Online Training Course” is available at https://acc.wu.ac.th/and the “Southern Regional Folk Performing Arts Skills Development Project: Nora Online,” supported by the Plant Genetic Conservation Project Under the Royal Initiative of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (RSPG). This project aims to promote collaboration and unity of the general public and initiatives.

3.”Asian Journal of Art and Culture (Online)” listed in TCI Group 1 database in June 2022, accessible at https://so06.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/cjwu.

 

Objective 3: Building a Network in Arts and Culture

Walailak University highlights the significance of assembling the internal and external institutional network in arts and culture. This network aims to revitalize local cultural traditions, as well as national arts and culture.

  1. “SOLGEN Held Thai Language Course for Foreign Teachers”: The School of Languages and General Education conducts the course to teach Thai language communication to foreigners led by Thai language lecturers at Academic Building 5, Walailak University. The course consists of two rounds, the first in August 2020 and the second in February 2021, with each round lasting for 10 hours. It involves around 10 international faculty members and aims to enable them to effectively use the Thai language in their daily lives. The course focuses on teaching common vocabulary and simulating real-life situations, creating an engaging learning environment, including using songs as a technique to enhance vocabulary retention.
  2. “Cultural Knowledge Transfer Project: Cultural Heritage Wisdom”: This project was held from November 22 to 25, 2022, by Walailak University in collaboration with the Nakhon Si Thammarat Province Cultural Office. The project aims to transfer cultural knowledge and heritage wisdom within the field of culture in the event named “Nakhon, the City of Cultural Heritage and Enthusiasm Festival.” It includes a traditional Batik cloth-making activity targeting the general public in Nakhon Si Thammarat, especially those with or without jobs and those looking to develop skills. The project caters to students interested in folk performing arts Additionally, it includes a performance of the Thai classical dance club during the “Meeting with President and New Year Celebrate 2022” event.

 

Objective 4: Promoting Arts and Culture Skills for Students and Staff

The university underlines and encourages students and staff to showcase their knowledge, abilities, and skills in the fields of arts and culture. This is achieved through their active participation in training, presentations, competitions, and knowledge exchange. In 2022, the following initiatives were undertaken:

1.The “Chinese Culture Training Program,” organized by The Open University of Fujian and Culture in collaboration with Open Education Group (Thailand) Co., Ltd. and the School of Liberal Arts, Walailak University. The training involved 114 students from the Chinese Language program and was successfully concluded on August 20, 2022.

  1. The WU Thai Classical Dance Club won two awards at “The 4th Southern Thailand International Innovation and Culture” event on January 26, 2022, under the “The Land of Arts and Culture” title. This competition was held by the Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, Songkhla Province. It brought together three countries and 11 institutions, with Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia participating to compete in the form of performing video. Walailak University received two awards: “The Best Artistic Performance” for the “Cultural Dance of Nakhon Si Thammarat to Promote Cultural Occupation” and “The Best Creative Video Presentation” for “The Zodiac Dance.”
  2. The “Conservation of Thai Architectural Heritage” project involved architecture students and cadastral surveying of the Buddhist temples and pavilion in the vicinity, including Siyang Temple, Pangkok Temple, Deeluang Temple, and Sanam Chai Temple, in the floodplain of Songkhla Lake. They created designs and models to study and appreciate the local architectural heritage of Southern Thailand, covering the areas of Ranot and Sathing Phra Districts in Songkhla Province.

Related link of evidence:  

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