Category: Sustainability and Stewardship

Sustainability and Stewardship Since signing an academic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance the livelihoods of disabled individuals, WU has continuously improved its facilities and support services to promote inclusivity. The university mandates the inclusion of facilities for disabled individuals in all newly constructed buildings, ensuring accessibility for everyone.All buildings on campus are equipped with physical facilities made to enable people with disabilities to participate in university life in all forms, including physical, emotional, mental, academic, and employment. Office buildings feature wheelchair ramps for students and staff accessing the offices, as well as accessible toilets, disability signage, and designated parking areas. The Center for Library Resources and Educational Media, a key learning hub for students, staff, and the public, is equipped with wheelchair ramps, accessible toilets, braille blocks, disability signage,…

Sustainability and Stewardship WU is dedicated to ensuring a campus free from discrimination, harassment (including sexual harassment), and human rights violations to promote  equal  treatment  and  opportunities  for all individuals, regardless of their differences. Discrimination or harassment based on race, nationality, ethnicity, skin color, family background, belief, religion, social status, sexual orientation, gender, age, physical stature, disability, spoken language, political belief, or marital and parental status is strictly prohibited. WU strives to foster an inclusive environment where LGBT individuals, women, displaced people or refugees, people with disabilities, and others are treated with respect and equity. In 2024, WU issued the Policy on Gender Equality, Non-discrimination, and Anti-harassment, B.E. 2567 (2024), reaffirming its commitment to inclusivity by addressing harassment and  banning discrimination while promoting gender equality covering the institution and its…

Sustainability and Stewardship Walailak University (WU) deeply recognizes the importance of equality in educational access among international students to foster a diverse and inclusive academic environment. Ensuring that students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to pursue higher education is fundamental to our mission.  The WU International College is one of the organizations that is responsible for assisting undergraduate international students to complete their education while the College of Graduate Studies is responsible for graduate students. In 2024, more than 170 international students studied at WU across all levels, including some of them were from low or lower-middle-income and developing countries, including Myanmar, Vietnam, China, Zimbabwe, the Philippines, Uganda, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bhutan, and Egypt. They had equal rights and access to all facilities at WU as Thai students, including scholarships,…

Sustainability and Stewardship WU, a globally recognized Frontier Research University, has become a key player in advancing innovation and economic growth through impactful industry collaborations. WU’s Science and Technology Park serves as a hub connecting researchers and entrepreneurs, fostering innovation to address industrial challenges and drive sustainable development. Income Growth from Research Collaborations WU’s research income across all disciplines demonstrated continuous growth from 2022 to 2024. In 2024, it achieved a growth rate of 61.08%, representing an increase of 6,722,939.59 baht. All   income   in   2024   came   from   private-sector collaborations, leveraging university-driven innovations to address industrial needs. Income Breakdown by Field in 2024 Research income at WU is categorized into four main fields: STEM, Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, and Medicine. Within each field, various…

Sustainability and Stewardship WU, through the Business Incubation Center under the Science and Technology Park, actively fosters the creation of spin-off companies that leverage university-developed technologies to address societal challenges and generate income. By fiscal year 2024, WU had established seven such spin-off companies, including notable ventures like Walai Biocontrol Co., Ltd., which secured significant funding from the National Innovation Agency for its bioproduct services.  These initiatives not only contribute to sustainable economic growth but also reinforce WU’s role as an innovation hub, bridging the gap between academia and industry. Spin-Off Companies Overview By fiscal year, WU has established a total of seven active spin-off companies, with one new addition being Walai Trichoplus Co., Ltd. launched in the most recent year. In 2023, four companies were additionally founded: Plankton WU…

Sustainability and Stewardship Patents are vital indicator of how university research benefits society and industry. WU has demonstrated significant success in linking its research to practical applications, evidenced by the numerous patent and petty patents cited research conducted by the university. These achievements highlight WU’s commitment to fostering sustainable innovation and promoting real-world impact. Promoting Research and Patents Through   its   Science   and   Technology   Park, WU  supports   research  commercialization  and innovation, particularly in advanced technology sectors like Deep Tech. The university provides guidance on patent registration, legal knowledge, funding, and partnerships with the Department of Intellectual Property.Between 2021 and 2024, WU staff registered 60 intellectual property works, including 9 patents and petty patents in 2024. These cover diverse fields such as food innovation, biotechnology, medical…

Sustainability and Stewardship Samui Island, a renowned tourist destination in southern Thailand, continues to captivate visitors from around the globe with its pristine beaches, luxury resorts, and vibrant cultural scene. Recognized as one of the best islands in Asia by the DestinAsian Readers' Choice Awards 2024, this accolade underscores the island’s thriving tourism industry and its critical role in bolstering the local economy. In 2024, WU reinforced its commitment to workforce development and industry-academia collaboration by signing the 2024 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cooperative and Work Integrated Education (CWIE), a mandatory of work placement program at WU, with 33 leading hotels, enterprises, and agencies on Samui Island. This landmark agreement aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional practice by equipping students with essential practical skills, fostering…

Sustainability and Stewardship WU acknowledges the significance of providing a living wage to its staff as part of its commitment to social responsibility and employee well-being. A living wage at WU is defined based on the local financial poverty indicator for a family of four and the local living wage determined by the Thai government. Demonstrating strong leadership and vision, the university has consistently paid salaries above the government-defined living wage since 2014, making it one of the higher education institutions in Thailand that upholds this commitment. This initiative ensures that all staff and faculty members receive fair compensation that enhances their quality of life and financial stability.In 2014, WU revised its policy on salary and living wages for all staff and faculty members, setting their compensation above the national…

Sustainability and Stewardship Walailak University (WU) should serve as a model of a discrimination-free workplace, fostering an environment that prepares students for real-world professional experiences. Since its establishment, WU has upheld a strong commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that no staff member faces discrimination in the workplace. The university values human diversity in all its forms, including religion, race, and immigrant status, and actively promotes a culture of respect and equal opportunities. In 2024, WU issued its Policy on Employment and Labor Management, B.E. 2567 (2024), to ensure that all staff members are safeguarded against discrimination of any kind. This policy underscores the university’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace.To reinforce this commitment, WU implements the policy that supports workplace fairness, diversity, and inclusion. WU provides training programs to…

Sustainability and Stewardship Despite WU’s advancements in energy-efficient infrastructure, these efforts alone are insufficient to achieve the institution’s ambitious energy consumption targets. Thus, WU continually has an energy efficiency plan in place to reduce overall energy consumption, aiming to lower energy usage of the campus annually and foster a culture of conservation across campus by combining appliance upgrades, renewable energy adoption, and smart energy management systems in the year 2024. WU remains steadfast to sustainability and reducing energy consumption in alignment with the Energy Efficiency Development Plan. Upgrading to Energy-Efficient Appliances A key component of WU’s plan involves replacing outdated equipment with energy-efficient models. The university has completed a full transition to LED lighting, reducing energy consumption for lighting by 80%. Additionally, 100% of WU’s air conditioning units have been…