Enhancing Water Management Education: Walailak University’s Commitment to Community Engagement and Sustainability

14Oct 2024 by Kittipong Bunlear

Outreach and Engagement

Enhancing Water Management Education: Commitment to Community Engagement and Sustainability

Walailak University recognizes the importance of educational opportunities in good water management, as water is a critical resource for both people’s livelihoods and the nation’s economy. Therefore, sustainable and good water management is a top priority. Currently, the good water management systems in local communities may lack sufficient integration to address the present context and may not be adequately prepared to deal with future risks, especially in the face of the increasing climate volatility caused by global climate change. In 2023, Walailak University provided free educational opportunities for local communities to learn about good water management. These initiatives were organized in collaboration with local communities and relevant agencies, and included various activities aimed at enhancing water management knowledge and skills.

Good Water Management Educational Opportunities for Pak Phanang River Basin Community, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province

Walailak University recognizes the importance of efficient and sustainable water management, especially in the Pak Phanang Basin, which was once a vital and fertile water resource in southern Thailand. However, over time, economic changes and improper land use have disrupted the ecological balance of the basin, leading to issues such as saltwater intrusion, acidic water spread, and prolonged flooding. These issues have severely impacted the ecosystem and the livelihoods of the local communities

Until now, the university has provided free educational opportunities about good water management for Pak Phanang River Basin community to enhance their knowledge and practices without any fees. These activities aim to evaluate the success of the royal-initiated water development projects in the basin, study the potential of water resources, and explore ways to further develop the water resources in response to the community’s needs as the diagnosed water resources have been facing problems and challenges for years.

The activities also involve resenting and sharing knowledge through meetings and seminars engaging with relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, local administrative organizations, farmers, and the general public. The objective is to provide free educational opportunities by exchanging ideas, resolving conflicts over water use, and finding collaborative good water management solution development that is appropriate for the region. Based on the measurement, these efforts not only contribute to improving good water management but also help secure the sustainability of water resources and restore ecological balance for the future.

These educational opportunities serve to raise awareness and impart essential knowledge on good water management practices, fostering a shared commitment to sustaining the region’s water resources.

Figures : The Water Management Educational Opportunities Through the Fieldwork at the Pak Phanang River Basin, led by Walailak University in Collaboration with the Community and Relevant Agencies.

The Living Weirs Project

Additionally, the university has provided educational opportunities to local communities to learn about good water management through conducted training sessions and meetings as part of the project to collect data and analyze the necessity and suitability of the Royal-initiated “Living Weir” project in the Na Mai Pai area, Thung Song District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. The project involves field visits to gather input and recommendations in collaboration with local stakeholders and community members involved in the project.

Figures : The Water Management Educational Opportunities Through the fieldwork at Na Mai Phai, Led by Walailak University in Collaboration with the Community and Relevant Agencies.

Furthermore, Walailak University, represented by Asst. Prof. Dr. Pakorn Ditthakit and Mr. Suthira Thongkao, faculty members of the Center of Excellence, participated in the Royal-initiated project episode titled “Integrating Knowledge for Sustainable Development.” This episode was broadcast on Channel 9 MCOT HD on. The program was also shared publicly on online platforms, including the YouTube channel “๑ ในพระราชดำริ” (“In the Royal Initiative”), to provide educational opportunities for the public to learn about good water management for sustainable development.

WU Collaborates with Government Agencies to Establish Strategic Plans for Enhancing Water Security

In 2023, Asst. Prof. Dr. Pakorn Ditthakit, an expert in water resource management at Walailak University, played a significant role in providing educational opportunities in good water management to the general public, as well as to officials, employees, and local community in various organizations. His involvement included the following positions:

1. 1. Subcommittee Member for Water Resource Management in Southern Thailand.
  2. Expert Member on the Upper Eastern Southern Basin Committee.
  3. Subcommittee Member for Water Resources of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province.

Figures : Asst. Prof. Dr. Pakorn Ditthakit, a water resource management expert at Walailak University, serves as an expert member on the Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Water Resources Subcommittee.

Figure : Assistant Professor Dr. Pakorn Ditsathit, a water resource management expert at Walailak University, serves as an expert member of the Upper Eastern Southern Basin Committee.

These committees are responsible for jointly developing, integrating, and driving water resource management plans at the provincial level. In 2023, Asst. Prof. Dr. Pakorn Ditthakit also served as a speaker for providing educational opportunity through activities to learn about good water resource management for representatives from the Basin Committee, the Provincial Water Resource Subcommittee, regional administrative groups, relevant government agencies, district officers from all districts, and local government representatives from all levels. The purpose was to prepare water resource action plans and strategies for drought and flood prevention.