Author: Kittipong Bunlear

Sustainability and Stewardship Walailak University is located in southern Thailand, covering a total area of 21,196,440 square meters, making it the largest university in terms of land area in the country. Additionally, the university experiences two seasons throughout the year: the hot season and the rainy season. During the rainy season, there is significant rainfall, with an annual precipitation of 2,544.53 millimeters, which often causes flooding in the area. To address this, Walailak University has implemented a sustainable water management system to prevent flooding while maintaining water reserves in its 3 main reservoirs (Pruk Sachon Reservoir, Mon Tara Reservoir, and Chala Nusorn Reservoir), ponds, and canals. Pruk Sachon ReservoirMon Tara ReservoirChala Nusorn ReservoirCurrently, the university has a total water conservation area of 1,672,217 square meters, which has increased by 4,000…

The lack of paid maternity and paternity policies can negatively affect the health and well-being of pregnant women, infants, and fatherhood. Walailak University realizes that maternity and paternity leaves are fundamental family-friendly rights that all employees should be provided. Thus, Walailak University has had its maternity and paternity policies to support women’s participation and allow a male staff member who is a father to be away from his job for the arrival of a child. The maternity policy of Walailak University is titled “Walailak University Regulations on Maternity Leave, B.E. 2567 (2024)”. The regulations are detailed below:Both staff and temporary staff are entitled to a maximum of 60 days of paid maternity leave, to be taken before and after childbirth.Staff and temporary employees on maternity leave who have not yet given…

Sustainability and Stewardship Walailak University takes pride in providing free public access to all its significant cultural, academic, and green spaces, ensuring inclusivity and promoting learning and engagement. From the expansive Walailak Botanic Park to the Toompang Archeological Site, the university’s commitment to cultural preservation, environmental sustainability, and educational excellence is evident. These open spaces, exhibition galleries, and historical sites are accessible to everyone, offering a diverse range of experiences in both natural and cultural heritage. Toompang Archeological Site: A Public Learning Hub for Archaeology The Toompang Archaeological Site is a valuable public heritage area, both historically and naturally, located within the area of Walailak University. It acts as a significant educational and cultural resource, providing an enriching experience with its diverse local plants and native bird species. The 12th Regional…

In 2023, Walailak University, through its School of Engineering and Technology, School of Architecture and Design, and School of Science, partnered with secondary schools to encourage more female students to apply to engineering programs. Engineering has long been a field where women are underrepresented, both in Thailand and globally. However, the number of female engineering students at Walailak University has significantly increased in recent years. Outreach Programs in Collaboration with Secondary Schools to Increase Women’s Applications and Enrollment in Underrepresented Fields To build on this progress, the university developed and organized a series of outreach activities. Faculty members from Walailak University visited secondary schools, conducting workshops and information sessions designed to spark interest in engineering, architecture, and science among female students as WU diagnosed that women are always underrepresented in…

Walailak University (WU) fully embraces its responsibility to champion equality and non-discrimination as core values that shape all aspects of university life. WU is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where women, transgender individuals, and all genders are treated with fairness, dignity, and respect. The university’s policies reflect a strong commitment to promoting diversity, ensuring that everyone can thrive free from prejudice, marginalization, or exclusion. Policy on Gender Equality, Non-discrimination and Anti - harassmentIn alignment with this commitment, Walailak University shall:Ensure equal access to education, employment, and opportunities for personal and professional growth for women and transgender individuals.Promote a campus culture of respect, understanding, and acceptance by providing training and awareness programs that challenge gender stereotypes and bias.Protect individuals from harassment, bullying, or any form of discrimination based on gender…

Sustainability and Stewardship Currently, stress and mental health issues are significant problems that affect the work performance of staff in many organizations, including educational institutions. University personnel manage diverse responsibilities, which can present opportunities for personal growth, but also require effective strategies to maintain well-being and mental health. Walailak University recognizes this issue and has taken concrete steps to address it by establishing the Smile & Smart Center and Psychiatry Clinic, which provide staff with access to active promotion of good mental health support.The Smile & Smart Center and Psychiatry Clinic aim to promote the mental well-being of staff through comprehensive and proactive services. These centers use screening and assessment tools such as the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and the Adult ADHD Self-Report…

Sustainability and Stewardship Smoking is a significant health issue both nationally and globally, particularly in educational institutions where the youth are the primary target for fostering good health. Walailak University recognizes this importance and has implemented smoke-free policy to control smoking within the campus to reduce health impacts and create a smoking-free campus for better environment for its staff and students. Smoking in educational institutions is linked to risky behaviors that can lead to both short-term and long-term health problems. Additionally, it sets a poor example for new students who might perceive smoking as a normal behavior. In this regard, the Ministry of Public Health issued a decree in 2018 designating public places, workplaces, and vehicles as non-smoking areas. Consequently, Walailak University has adopted this decree as a guideline for…

Sustainability and Stewardship Sexual health and reproductive health issues among adolescents, especially unintended pregnancies, are pressing concerns that need to be urgently and comprehensively addressed in Thai society, particularly among university students. Educational institutions play a crucial role in creating an environment conducive to providing knowledge and services related to preventing these issues sustainably. In the case of Walailak University, access to sexual health services and guidance on safe pregnancy, provided directly by the university, is part of promoting the well-being of students. Walailak University has established the Smile & Smart Center in collaboration with various organizations, such as Tha Sala Hospital, Walailak University Medical Center Hospital, and Sahathai Foundation, to provide students access to sexual and reproductive health-care services including information and education services. This center not only offers…