Walailak University’s Yearly Report on Sustainability Efforts and Initiatives

26Oct 2024 by Kittipong Bunlear

Sustainability and Stewardship

Walailak University consistently releases an annual Academic Sustainability Journal Report. The 2023 edition provides insights into the university’s ongoing sustainability efforts, highlighting key initiatives and developments in sustainable practices across various aspects of the institution.

Setting and Infrastructure

In 2023, the university intensifies its commitment to sustainability through enhanced preservation of green spaces and water conservation areas. The focus remains on overarching strategies and foundational infrastructure, with comprehensive policies and planning aimed at making Walailak University a model of sustainability. This approach includes developing eco-friendly buildings and sustainable innovations, strengthening connections with global and national sustainable university networks, supporting sustainability-focused student organizations, maintaining a dedicated sustainability website, and performing in-depth statistical analysis to guide future efforts.

Smart Building

Smart Classroom

Energy and Climate Change

In 2023, the university prioritized energy conservation and climate change initiatives through a range of awareness campaigns. These efforts include promoting the use of alternative energy sources, such as solar, wind, and biomass energy, alongside activities to encourage tree planting within the campus. The primary focus remains on reducing energy consumption and adopting practices that lower carbon emissions and the CO2 footprint. Initiatives involve encouraging the use of energy-efficient appliances, integrating renewable energy sources, increasing green spaces, and advancing reforestation projects.

Solar Rooftop

Green area in WU

Waste

The main focus centers on effectively managing solid and hazardous waste across the university. This includes expanded recycling initiatives, reducing the use of paper and plastics, eliminating single-use plastics, handling organic and biodegradable materials, addressing toxic waste, and ensuring proper sewage disposal. In 2023, additional efforts emphasized responsible waste disposal, reduction of plastic usage, and the reuse of waste materials wherever possible. The ultimate objective is to minimize waste generation while maximizing opportunities for reuse, recycling, and repurposing.

Solid waste reduce

Prepare hazadous waste

Water

The primary focus is on advancing water conservation initiatives, including the implementation of water recycling programs, promoting water-efficient appliances, and reducing tap water consumption. In 2023, the university expanded water conservation areas and continued to encourage students and staff to practice water-saving habits year-round.

Water Conservation

Pruk Sachon Reservoir

Mon Tara Reservoir

Chala Nusorn Reservoir

Water Conservation Activities

Transportation

The primary focus is on improving shuttle bus services, establishing a policy that encourages the use of zero-emission vehicles on campus, managing the ratio of parking areas to campus size, limiting car parking spaces, and promoting carpooling. The university is also committed to building a pedestrian- and bike-friendly community by providing a free bicycle-sharing program and implementing clean-energy transportation options. In 2023, efforts expanded to include the promotion of electric motorcycles, sustainable transportation initiatives, walkway repairs, and the installation of clear directional signage across campus.

Zero emission vehicles

Education and Research

The primary focus is on integrating sustainability into the curriculum by offering courses and subjects centered around this theme, allocating research funds specifically for sustainability-focused projects, and developing sustainability-themed learning environments and gardens. The university also organizes sustainability-centered events and produces detailed reports documenting sustainability initiatives. In 2023, the university reached a milestone, with 100% of all courses now incorporating sustainability-related content.

Student Hub

Sustainable Courses

Additionally, the university organizes various activities aimed at reducing waste within the campus and surrounding communities, such as:

- - The Single-Use Plastic Reduction Activity encourages the use of personal reusable cups when purchasing beverages at the Cho Pradu Food Center. This initiative helps reduce plastic waste and mitigates potential impacts on marine life.

- - The Waste Management Awareness Activity focuses on educating students in schools around the university on waste management at the source and learning about marine waste collection. This activity aims to raise awareness and provide knowledge to students on effective waste management practices.

- - The Smile & Smart Showcase activity at Bota Market aims to educate students and university staff on proper waste management practices.

- - The Underwater Waste Survey and Collection Activity at the artificial coral reef near Bo Non Beach, close to the university, aims to raise awareness about conserving marine and coastal resources within the community.

- - An educational activity on the issue of marine debris and its impact on ecosystems and marine life, provided to students in communities surrounding the university, aims to raise awareness and build public consciousness.

In that year, Walailak University was awarded a “Gold Level” rating in the National Green Youth environmental initiative, ranking among the top 10 universities to receive this prestigious rating out of 57 universities nationwide. This recognition was organized by the Department of Environmental Quality Promotion and held at TK Palace Hotel & Convention, Bangkok.

These activities demonstrate that the university actively organizes initiatives both on campus and within the community in collaboration with network partners. These efforts align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 12 (Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns), ensuring sustainable production and consumption practices.

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