On June 20, 2023 at the Honor Hall of Walailak University Hospital, Ms. Watinee Kharnwong, Director of Department of Education at Australian Embassy in Thailand, paid a courtesy visit to Professor Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, President of Walailak University. The purpose of the visit was to discuss educational collaborations between Walailak University and regional universities in Australia.

During the meeting, Professor Dr. Sombat briefed Director Watinee on an overview of Walailak University, including the transition from trimester system to semester system, an increase in the number of first-year students, both in terms of quality and quantity; and over 90 percent or 610 teaching staff have been certified by Advance HE based on the United Kingdom Professional Standard Framework.

Walailak University, recognized as one of 16 research-intensive universities in Thailand, was recently ranked by the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2023 at 401-600 among 1,591 universities worldwide. The university stands out as one of the top 100 universities globally in four Sustainable Development Goals: Zero Hunger, Clean Water and Sanitation, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Life Below Water. 

After the meeting with the president, Ms. Watinee met with representatives from the schools and colleges of Walailak University at Center for International Affairs meeting room, Cooperative Education Building, to discuss opportunities for educational collaborations with regional universities in Australia. These collaborations would encompass various areas such as student and staff exchange, research, cooperative education (internship), dual degree, training, visiting professors, etc.

Ms. Watinee stated that the Australian Embassy acknowledges the enthusiasm and determination of the university to establish educational cooperation with universities in Australia. In support of this endeavor, the Embassy will facilitate coordination and work with Walailak University Center for International Affairs in conjunction with regional universities in Australia.

In the afternoon, Walailak University Center for International Affairs and Center for Cooperative Education and Career Development organized WU Students Go Global program at Khao Luang Chamber, Cooperative Education Building. This program featured a session on sharing experiences of studying abroad, where Walailak University (WU) students shared their cooperative education and study experiences in foreign countries. The speakers were Ms. Piyachat Panyasiripan from WU School of Science at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece, three students from WU School of Political Science and Public Administration, namely Ms. Sudaluck Jiarawan and Ms. Lalita Niemnoot at State University of Malang (Universitas Negeri Malang) in Indonesia, and Ms. Nattaporn Kwanjai at Universiti Putra Malaysia in Malaysia; and Ms. Pattarakorn Kunarak from WU School of Allied Health Sciences at North Dakota State University in the United States of America.

The students had the opportunity to attend a talk titled Study in Australia delivered by two speakers from the Australian Embassy: Ms. Pattarin Wirojchoochut, Education Manager, and Director Watinee Kharnwong. Australia, the sixth largest country in the world, has a population of around 26.3 million people and a total of 42 universities. In 2022, Australia attracted a considerable number of international students, with approximately 613,327 studying in the country, including around 18,654 from Thailand.

The talk also includes Australian education system, tuition fees, application steps, work rights and visas, as well as scholarships, including Destination Australia Program supported by the Australian Government. This program offers scholarships to students to study and live in regional Australia. Students who are interested in learning more about the application process and additional details can visit www.education.gov.au/destination-australia.

More than 80 students attended the event and were inspired to pursue international experiences and cultivate 21st-century skills and global awareness. In the upcoming event, the Center for International Affairs and the Center for Cooperative Education and Career Development will organize a session where Walailak University students will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from the Swedish Embassy in Thailand on 19 July 2023. For more information, please visit https://cia.wu.ac.th/ or https://www.facebook.com/ciawalailak.

Photos and news by Settaboot Onphakdee, Division of Corporate Communication