Author: 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…

Walailak University values protecting and enhancing aquatic ecosystems, including wetlands, rivers, estuaries, coastal areas, and the open ocean. In 2023, Walailak University provided free local and national educational programmes on fresh-water ecosystems. The programmes were the Royal Initiation of the Pak Phanang River Basin Development and the Living Weir Development for Sustainable Community. These programmes mainly focus on water resource security and ecosystem diversity to foster a deeper understanding and commitment to environmental stewardship and ecosystem conservation. National Educational Program: The Royal Initiation of the Pak Phanang River Basin Development The Pak Phanang River Basin is situated in the southern region of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, characterized by three distinct topographic areas. The basin serves as a major wetland in Thailand playing a vital role in the local ecosystem and supporting…

Sustainability and Stewardship Walailak University recognizes that instilling a strong foundation in sustainability is essential for students, as they will play a pivotal role in building a more sustainable and resilient world. To promote students’ ability to learn and retain key concepts of sustainability, WU offers its students the opportunity to engage with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through an online course on Thailand’s Massive Open Online Course (Thai MOOC) platform. The course, titled “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Practical Implementation for the Business Sector,” equips students with critical knowledge and insights needed to integrate sustainable practices into various fields. Through this course, students delve into the fundamentals of the SDGs, exploring their background, guiding principles, and the significance of each goal. Additionally, the course addresses pressing global challenges…

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 BuildingSmart Classroom Energy and Climate Change In 2023, the university…

Sustainability and Stewardship Walailak University plays a significant role in supporting the local community economy by prioritizing the purchase of food products from sustainable sources and local. This is part of the university's Food Preparation and Sustainable Consumption Policy, which ensures that the food provided on campus is safe for students, staff, and visitors. This policy not only promotes the quality of life in the surrounding community but also emphasizes reducing environmental impact while supporting local and sustainable products. Procurement of Products from Sustainable Sources Walailak University prioritizes purchase of products from sustainable sources including local farmer and food producers, particularly from the Satit Walailak Pattana Community, located within 1-2 kilometers of the university. Most of the products sold on campus come from local communities and sustainable sources, including seasonal…

Sustainability and Stewardship Walailak University (WU) has made sustainable community development and the provision of academic services a core strategic priority to uphold its mission of being the "Pillar of the Region." Over the next five years (2023-2027), the university plans to disseminate research findings and extend technological advancements to local communities, while also promoting lifelong learning. As a local knowledge center, the university offers free access to all facilities such as labs, technologies, plant stocks, and educational resources to help communities achieve balanced and sustainable livelihoods, with a focus on food security, sustainable farming practices, and skill development for alternative career paths. The university provides free academic services and resources, including labs, advanced technologies, and plant stocks, to farmers, food producers, and restaurant operators, involving stakeholders from both the…

Sustainability and Stewardship Measuring and tracking the amount of food waste generated from food served within the university for the  whole campus is a mission of Walailak University to promote sustainable resource use and reduce environmental impact. By monitoring waste levels, the university aims to identify opportunities to minimize waste generation, enhance food management practices, and increase awareness among students, staff, and vendors. These efforts support the university’s commitment to sustainability and contribute to broader goals of reducing food waste within the community.The Center for Smart Farming and Landscaping Architecture is the main unit or center at Walailak University that is responsible for measuring food waste at Walailak across the campus. The center is equipped with staff who directly work in tracking food waste and setting strategies for food waste…

Sustainability and Stewardship Achieving sustainable academic services and community development is one of Walailak University's key strategies to fulfill its founding mission of being a "pillar of the region." Over the next five years (2023-2027), the university has established a strategic plan to disseminate and expand research outcomes and technology to local communities, alongside promoting the university as a learning center for the region. This allows the community to access and apply knowledge in supporting their livelihoods and balancing natural resources and the environment. The knowledge, skill or technology provided focus especially on food security, sustainable agriculture and aquaculture, safe agriculture and aquaculture and sustainable fisheries, food processing from agricultural and fishery products, as well as preparing local entrepreneurs for food product certification.Consequently, Walailak University has been providing access on…

Sustainability and Stewardship Walailak University realizes that hunger among staff can affect their productivity, focus, and overall well-being. Without access to nutritious meals, staff members may experience fatigue and reduced concentration, which can hinder their performance and job satisfaction. To address this, the university provides interventions to prevent or alleviate hunger among members of staff, such as Free Food Intervention at the Botanic Park, the affordable food price policy, and events providing free food. Free Food Intervention at Botanic Park The Free Food Intervention at Botanic Park, serving as the food bank for food security promotion for students and staff is a significant initiative by Walailak University (WU) focused on enhancing food security and alleviating hunger among university staff. Held monthly, the program offers an array of nutritious, free meals sourced primarily…