NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, THAILAND — Walailak University (WU) and Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP), Malaysia, successfully concluded the WU-UTP International Tech & Marine Sustainability Exchange Program 2026 with a memorable closing ceremony held at the Hua Taphan Meeting Room, Walailak University Hospital. The event marked a significant milestone in fostering international collaboration, academic synergy, and cultural exchange between the two leading institutions.

The closing ceremony commenced with a reporting speech by Asst. Prof. Dr. Patnarin Supakorn, Director of the Center for International Affairs. This was followed by the closing remarks delivered by Prof. Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, President of Walailak University, who praised the participants’ dedication and highlighted the importance of global engagement in driving sustainable initiatives. Representing UTP, Ms. Michelle Lau Ling Ling (Project Director) shared their insightful reflections, expressing gratitude for the warm hospitality and the resounding success of the program.

The evening features token of appreciation exchanges and a vibrant showcase of cultural heritage. Walailak University students performed “Beads of Grace: The Nora Heritage Dance,” a beautiful piece representing the Southern Thai artistic identity. In response, the UTP team delighted the audience with traditional Malaysian performances, including the elegant Sumazau dance from Sabah and an energetic Poco-Poco dance. The memorable night concluded with an interactive Thai classical dance (Ramwong) session, symbolizing unity and lifelong friendship among the students and staff.

Beyond the cultural celebrations, executives and representatives from both universities engaged in high-level bilateral discussions to solidify future academic and research collaborations. The key outcomes and proposals from the meeting include:

• MoU Timeline and Structured Framework: UTP proposed that the official Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony take place during Walailak University’s upcoming official visit to the UTP campus. To ensure sustainable cooperation and meet Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for international student mobility, UTP suggested incorporating a clear, 2-to-3-year advance action plan within the MoU.
• Reciprocal Student Exchange (Equal Match Principle): Both universities agreed on a reciprocal model of support for student mobility. UTP expressed strong interest in exchanging batches of approximately 40 students (equivalent to 1 busload). Under this agreement:
  • Accommodation: The host university will provide free dormitory housing (20 rooms for 40 students).
  • Logistics: A border-to-campus transit system will be established. If WU provides transportation from the Padang Besar border to its campus, UTP will reciprocate by picking up WU students from the border to UTP.
• Double Degree and Extended Internships: Both institutions opened discussions on developing Double Degree programs, with details to be finalized in subsequent meetings. Furthermore, UTP confirmed its readiness to host WU students for 8-month internships and agreed to further explore the feasibility of placing WU students in reputable corporate industries within Malaysia through UTP’s network.
• Regional Networking and Academic Platforms: Mr. Ahmad from UTP offered to leverage UTP’s extensive connections to introduce WU to other prominent Malaysian universities during their visit, allowing WU to maximize its institutional networking in a single trip. Additionally, Ms. Rosi invited WU students to participate and present their work at an upcoming undergraduate student conference scheduled around September or October.
• English Language Proficiency Initiatives: Recognizing a vital area for development, UTP offered to implement an English language training program at WU, mirroring a highly successful initiative previously organized for Yala Rajabhat University. This proposal comes after discussions with WU Chemical Engineering student volunteers who expressed a strong passion for international exchange but faced language proficiency challenges.

This successful exchange program and the highly constructive bilateral dialogue reflect both Walailak University and Universiti Teknologi Petronas’s shared vision of empowering the next generation of global citizens through education, innovation, and cross-border solidarity.