Author: Kittipong Bunlear

Walailak University has emerged as one of Thailand’s leading universities with a strong commitment to SDG 14: Life Below Water, owing to its strategic location near the Gulf of Thailand and its proximity to rich marine environments. The university has been collaborating with NGOs in promoting marine conservation, conducting research on coastal ecosystems, and raising awareness about the importance of protecting marine biodiversity. Through partnerships with NGOs, Walailak University actively contributes to reducing marine pollution, restoring coastal habitats, and supporting sustainable fisheries.The Walailak University Marine Conservation Club is a student volunteering club established by a group of Walailak students in the School of Science (Marine Science Program). However, the club is freely open to all WU students to be members of the club. This club has been collaborating with NGOs…

Walailak University has continually engaged with local, national, and international partners to further conduct the research project titled “The Thai Blue Swimming Crab Fishery Improvement Project (BSC FIP).” The partners include the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Marine Resources Assessment Group (MREG), the NFI Crab Council (United States), local fishery associations in Surat Thani, the Thai Sea Watch Association, Kasetsart University, Ubon Ratchathani University, and others.Ban Don Bay in Surat Thani has faced a number of critical issues contributing to the decline of the blue swimming crab population. These include overexploitation in heavily fished inshore areas, harvesting of undersized crabs and gravid females, and a lack of management plans or harvest strategies. Additionally, there is insufficient enforcement capacity to regulate fishing practices effectively.These challenges not only threaten the…

The Center of Excellence for Ecoinformatics at Walailak University is dedicated to advancing research, knowledge development, and the application of Ecoinformatics to support technological solutions for community and national development. For over five years, the center has been actively engaged in research projects and forming international partnerships to address various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With a team of over 15 experienced researchers and scientists, the center strives to be a leading institution in Thailand for human resource development, research excellence, and innovation in Ecoinformatics. The Establishment of International Collaboration of Walailak University and TICA and International Partners Walailak University and the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) have been establishing international cooperation with many countries, including least-developed and developing countries to address the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in food security,…

Walailak University’s Center of Excellence on Women and Social Security (CEWSS) prioritizes the promotion of local, regional, and national cultural heritage while actively addressing the pressing issue of violence against women. Through dedicated research and outreach initiatives, the CEWSS aims to raise awareness and educate communities about the importance of safeguarding women's rights and dignity. In 2023, the Center of Excellence on Women and Social Security (CEWSS) initiated a cross-sectoral dialogue to collaborate in efforts in which parties from different societal sectors pool resources to provide solutions to SDG 11, preserving the Menora dance. This collaborative effort highlighted the significance of cultural heritage in promoting community identity. Additionally, the center hosted another cross-sectoral dialogue titled “The Patriarchal State: Women Speaking Out for Justice.” This event provided a neutral platform for…

In 2023, Walailak University (WU) worked closely with national governments and regional NGOs to shape policies addressing climate change and resource conservation. This collaboration highlights the university’s dedication to sustainable development and its active involvement in advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Among its key contributions, WU partnered with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to prepare the Provincial and Municipal Action Plans for Climate Change. Additionally, WU continued its collaboration with the Department of Fisheries and various local, national, and international partners on the marine conservation research project, “The Thai Blue Swimming Crab Fishery Improvement Project (BSC FIP).” The Collaboration in Developing the Provincial and Municipal Action Plans for Climate Change for Nakhon Si Thammarat Province Thailand faces increasingly severe climate change impacts, including prolonged droughts, unprecedented storms,…