WU Policies and Measures to Promote Women’s Access, Admission, and Participation
Walailak University (WU) is committed to advancing gender equity by systematically monitoring and addressing women’s access to, admission to, and participation in higher education. The University conducts diagnostic analyses of women’s applications, acceptance, enrolment, and participation across academic programs to identify potential barriers and areas for improvement. These analyses support the development of evidence-based measures to ensure that women have equitable opportunities to enter and succeed in higher education.
WU promotes educational opportunities for women across all fields of study, with particular attention to academic disciplines and activities in which women have been historically underrepresented. Through outreach activities, workshops, information campaigns, and targeted communications, the University encourages women to pursue higher education and provides information and support to help them make informed decisions about their academic pathways.
The University’s admissions processes are designed to uphold the principles of fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity. Gender is not used as a discriminatory criterion in admissions, and WU monitors application and admission data to identify differences in participation and acceptance patterns. Where appropriate, the University provides scholarships, financial assistance, academic support, and other opportunities that help reduce barriers to higher education for women, including support for participation in STEM-related fields, leadership development, and other areas where female representation remains comparatively lower.
WU’s commitment extends beyond admission to ensuring that women can fully participate and thrive throughout their university experience. The University provides academic resources, mentoring and guidance, networking opportunities, student development activities, leadership opportunities, and supportive services designed to promote women’s academic achievement, well-being, and personal and professional development. Relevant institutional measures are periodically reviewed and improved based on monitoring results and identified needs.
In 2026, Walailak University further strengthened its institutional commitment by issuing the Policy on Women’s Access and Participation in Higher Education, B.E. 2569 (2026). The policy establishes a framework for addressing women’s applications, acceptance, entry, and participation at WU and reinforces the University’s commitment to equal opportunity, inclusive participation, and the removal of barriers that may affect women’s engagement in higher education. Through this policy and its associated measures, WU seeks to create an inclusive academic environment in which women have equitable opportunities to access education, participate fully in university life, develop their potential, and contribute to academic, professional, and social development.
Key WU Measures to Promote Women’s Applications, Acceptance, and Participation at Walailak University
Outreach and Recruitment Programs
Walailak University (WU) actively implements targeted outreach initiatives to encourage women, particularly those from communities and groups that remain underrepresented in certain fields, to pursue higher education. These initiatives include information sessions, career fairs, school outreach activities, and promotional campaigns that highlight academic and career opportunities available to women across a wide range of disciplines, with particular attention to traditionally male-dominated fields such as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
In 2025, WU continued to strengthen its engagement and partnerships with secondary schools throughout Southern Thailand and other regions through the WU To School Initiative. The initiative provides workshops, information sessions, and educational guidance for secondary school students, including female students, to raise awareness of higher education opportunities and encourage them to consider pursuing university studies in diverse academic fields. Through direct engagement with schools and students, WU seeks to broaden aspirations, address potential barriers to higher education, and demonstrate the academic and professional pathways available to women.
These outreach and partnership activities contribute to the development of a more inclusive higher education environment by encouraging women to explore fields in which they may be underrepresented and supporting their transition from secondary education to university. WU continues to use these initiatives to promote equitable access, increase awareness of educational opportunities, and strengthen women’s participation across its academic programs.
Mentorship Programs
The establishment of the Smile and Smart Center represents an important initiative under Walailak University’s commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of female students. The Center provides a supportive platform for women throughout their university journey, offering tailored mentoring, career guidance, counseling, and networking opportunities that respond to their academic, personal, and professional development needs.
Through individualized guidance and ongoing support, the Center assists female students in addressing academic and career-related challenges, strengthening their self-confidence, and developing essential competencies for their future careers. It also provides opportunities for students to build connections, exchange experiences, and learn from peers and mentors.
Beyond individual support, the Smile and Smart Center promotes leadership development, lifelong learning, collaboration, and active participation among female students. By creating a supportive environment in which women can develop their capabilities and pursue their aspirations, the Center contributes to removing barriers to women’s participation in higher education and strengthening an inclusive and empowering campus culture at Walailak University.
Scholarship and Financial Aid Opportunities
Financial hardship can present a substantial barrier to both access to and successful completion of higher education. Recognizing the importance of financial support in promoting equitable educational opportunities, Walailak University (WU), in collaboration with its university partners and other supporting organizations, provides scholarships and financial assistance to students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. These measures help ensure that financial circumstances do not prevent students, including women, from entering university, continuing their studies, and completing their degrees.
In 2025, WU and its partners awarded scholarships to 1,125 students, with a total value of 73,496,950 baht. Of these recipients, 749 were female students, comprising 734 Thai female students and 15 female students from low- and lower-income countries. This substantial level of support demonstrates WU’s ongoing efforts to expand access to higher education for women from diverse socioeconomic and national backgrounds.
The scholarship scheme helps alleviate financial pressures associated with tuition, educational materials, living expenses, and other costs related to university study. By reducing these financial barriers, WU supports women’s ability to enter higher education, remain engaged in their studies, and progress toward graduation. The provision of targeted financial assistance therefore forms an important component of the University’s broader commitment to gender equity, inclusive access, and equal opportunities for academic success. The scholarship provision ceremony could be available at https://www.wu.ac.th/index.php/th/news/27248
