Author: Suphanida Duangchinda

Sustainability and Stewardship Sustainable Water Extraction is a process that integrates applicable technology, innovation, and efficient water resource management practices. Its primary goal is to maintain ecological balance, minimize environmental impact, and ensure long-term water security. Sustainable water extraction on campus is not limited to utilizing water without affecting upstream sources; it also encompasses water storage, production of potable water, efficient water use, wastewater treatment, and water reuse—all in ways that promote comprehensive resource conservation by utilizing sustainable water extraction technologies on associated university grounds on and off campus where water is extracted. Figures: Sustainable Water Extraction Technologies within the universityWalailak University, located in the southern region of Thailand, covers a total area of 21,196,440 square meters, making it the largest university in the country in terms of land area.…

In recent years, Thailand has faced increasingly severe challenges in water resource management, resulting from climate change, urban expansion, environmental degradation, and inefficient water use. These issues have led to droughts, floods, and inefficient water use. These issues have led to droughts, floods, and instability in access to clean water for people in many areas, particularly in rural communities that rely primarily on agriculture. Water conservation has therefore become a critical agenda that requires collaboration across multiple sectors, including universities, which play a key role as sources of academic knowledge and innovation for sustainable development.In 2024, the university continued to implement projects that support practical water conservation off campus, aiming to transfer knowledge, technologies, and innovations to local communities about water conservation. The goal is to enable communities to effectively…

Enhancing Water Management Education: Commitment to Community Engagement and Sustainability Water is an essential resource for both life and national development. However, in recent years, water-related issues—such as drought, flooding, saltwater intrusion, and wastewater from various activities—have become increasingly severe, particularly in fragile ecosystems and areas with diverse land use in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. Examples include the Pak Phanang River basin, Na Mai Phai Subdistrict, and other regions at both the provincial and national levels.Given this context, Walailak University, as a local university, recognizes the urgent need to provide educational opportunities for local communities to learn about good water management. The university applies a community-based participatory learning approach to build foundational knowledge, develop water management skills, and promote the conservation of natural resources in ways that are suitable to…

Sustainability and Stewardship In an era where climate change and water scarcity are global challenges, sustainable water management at all levels has become crucial. This is especially true for educational institutions, which have the potential to serve as role models in the efficient use of water resources. Walailak University recognizes its role and has implemented the policy of becoming a “Happy and Sustainable University,” with a strong emphasis on developing projects for wastewater recycling to support agriculture, internal industrial use, and general university activities. Then, the volume of reuse of water is measured and monitored across the university through advanced technologies and modern instruments. At present, the university operates a wastewater treatment and reuse system with a capacity of up to 1,500 cubic meters per day. The treated water undergoes…

Sustainability and Stewardship Sustainable Water Management: Walailak University’s Water Reuse Policy Walailak University is committed to becoming a sustainable and environmentally friendly “Happy University” under its 20-Year Strategic Plan (2018–2037). The plan promotes development in infrastructure, water management, waste management, energy management, climate change, transportation, and education. The university emphasizes efficient and participatory management of resources, environmental stewardship, and energy conservation. It integrates renewable energy, resource efficiency, and environmental conservation into teaching, research, and all university activities. The aim is to foster a safe, eco-friendly, and energy-efficient environment that benefits both the university and surrounding communities. In 2024, the university implemented measures and guidelines for water reuse across the university. Treated wastewater of appropriate quality is reused for purposes that do not require potable water, such as watering plants, street…

Sustainability and Stewardship Walailak University, as a large higher education institution with an area of over 21,000,000 square meters, recognizes the importance of efficient water resource utilization, particularly in the context of being a university that actively promotes environmental sustainability in tangible ways. One of the key strategies implemented by the university is to align its space utilization with water conservation goals through the allocation and development of land, landscape design, and the selection to minimize water usage in the plants such as drought-tolerant plants, as well as the adoption of efficient water management systems to sustainably reduce overall water consumption. BOTA Cactus Dome: A Model of Water-Efficient Landscape and Learning SpaceCurrently, the university has planted landscapes that serve as ecological and learning hubs, promoting the sustainable use of natural…

Sustainability and Stewardship Efficient water management is a crucial aspect of sustainable development, particularly in the building sector, which consumes a significant amount of water over the long term. For this reason, the university recognizes the importance of applying building standards — such as environmentally conscious design and assessment standards – to systematically and sustainably minimise water use. Walailak University has established a sustainable water resource management policy to support environmental conservation and ensure water security within the campus. In particular, this policy emphasizes designing and renovating buildings to maximize water use efficiency, in line with the university’s vision of becoming a Green University and a Sustainable University. Through the implementation of policies, planning, and building standards, the university continuously applied water-conscious building standards and efficient water use to control…

Sustainability and Stewardship Walailak University, located in the southern region of Thailand, is the largest university campus in the country. With its geographical characteristics of year-round heavy rainfall and high risk of flooding, the university places strong emphasis on comprehensive and integrated water resource management. It has rigorously implemented policies, measures, and processes to prevent polluted water entering the water system, including pollution caused by accidents and incidents at the university. Being situated in the south and recognized as the country’s largest campus, the university is well-prepared to cope with climate change crises while striving to balance water usage, wastewater prevention, and long-term environmental sustainability. At present, the university carries out a range of activities, projects, and processes in flood management, water supply production, and waste management to prevent wastewater…

Sustainability and Stewardship Drinking water is a fundamental resource essential for human survival, and water security is therefore at the heart of sustainable development at every level. However, in today’s society, many people still lack access to clean and safe drinking water. Walailak University, located in southern Thailand, covers an area of more than 21,000,000 square meters and is recognized as the largest university in the country. In 2024, the university is striving to develop into a “Residential University” with comprehensive infrastructure and public utilities, along with full facilities for education, daily living, and work. The aim is to ensure that the university community—including students, staff, and visitors—can live in an environment that is green, safe, enjoyable, and conducive to both formal and informal learning. Figure : Provision of Free…

Sustainability and Stewardship Wastewater generated within the university–from both students and staff–originates from various daily activities such as bathing, dishwashing, laundry, cleaning utensils, and toilet use. This issue has long been regarded by the university as an important environmental concern. To accommodate the volume of wastewater produced, the university has implemented a wastewater management system development project since 2002, covering an area of more than 9,600 square meters. Continuous improvements have been made over the years, particularly in 2024, when the system was upgraded to enhance its efficiency, ensuring optimal treatment performance and restoring balance to the environment. Figures : Water Supply System, the mechanism that was constructed to serve the whole university. Recognizing the environmental and ecological impacts of wastewater, the university has developed a wastewater management system capable…