NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, THAILAND – July 9, 2026 — The Center for International Affairs (CIA) at Walailak University officially held its inaugural “Walailak University International Day 2026” (WUiDAY 2026) at the Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Natural History Museum (Sirin Museum). Held under the theme “BRIDGES: Bridging Regional and International Dialogue for Global Education and Sustainability,” the historic gathering marked the university’s first international day in over three decades of operation.

The event brought together diplomatic representatives from Kenya, Taiwan, Bhutan, Pakistan, and the United States, along with delegates from seven Thai universities and 18 MoU/MoA partner institutions across 10 countries, including Australia, China, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Russia, and Taiwan. Deputy Governor of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Mr. Witthaya Khiaorot, also attended alongside Walailak University executives, faculty, staff, and students.

In her welcome remarks, Asst. Prof. Dr. Patnarin Supakorn, Director of the Center for International Affairs, highlighted WUiDAY 2026 as a landmark milestone centered on three core goals: deepening international ties, driving regional development in Nakhon Si Thammarat, and strengthening national university cooperation.

To advance national synergy, Dr. Patnarin proposed the creation of the “University Network for Internationalization in Thailand” (UNIT). The initiative encourages Thai universities to collaborate rather than compete in recruiting and supporting international students through shared arrangements for accommodation, airport transfers, and joint academic programs.

In his opening address, President Prof. Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong outlined Walailak University’s “RISE” institutional vision (Representing Good Governance, Inspiring Innovation, Serving Society, and Elevating Global Excellence). He showcased key institutional achievements, including:

• Exemplary Governance: Recipient of two awards at the 11th Global Good Governance (3G) Awards 2026 by Cambridge IFA.

• Academic & Research Excellence: Home to Thailand’s largest proportion of UKPSF-certified teaching staff, supported by the “One Faculty Member, One Q1 Publication per Year” policy and the Academic Excellence and Career Empowerment (A.C.E.) 8-month internship framework.

• Global Recognition & Sustainability: Ranked 47th globally and 3rd in Thailand in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2026, and placed 6th nationally and in the 1201+ band globally in the THE World University Rankings 2026.

• ASEAN–Africa Tropical Resilience Initiative: A platform designed to co-create solutions across One Health, the Blue Economy, and Community Transformation.

Distinguished keynote speakers shared insights on international cooperation:

• H.E. Mr. Peter Sha-Li Lan, Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand, delivered a keynote on “Building Academic Bridges between Taiwan and Thailand,” highlighting Taiwan’s STEM and higher education investments as drivers of economic development and pointing to talent platforms like the International Industrial Talent Education Special Program.

• H.E. Mrs. Lucy N. Kiruthu, Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya to Thailand, delivered a address titled “South-South Cooperation in Higher Education: New Pathways for Africa-ASEAN Collaboration.” Calling for a “Bandung 2.0” academic network, she outlined a 5-point agenda covering joint research on climate resilience and food security, mobility, university-industry linkages, AI adaptation, and youth empowerment.

The morning session featured the presentation of the inaugural Walailak International Student Excellence (WISE) Award. The honor was awarded to Mr. Qudrat Ullah, a Ph.D. candidate in Agriculture and Food Science, in recognition of his 18 Scopus-indexed Q1 publications, academic achievements, and popular vote among international peers. The ceremony concluded with a vibrant parade and cultural performances by 21 international students.

Delivering the closing remarks, Vice President Assoc. Prof. Dr. Surin Maisrikrod emphasized the collective spirit of the event, referencing global wisdoms from Thai, Chinese, European, and African traditions.

“A bridge has value only when people cross it,” noted President Sombat. Reiterating this sentiment, Vice President Surin concluded: “When universities build bridges, knowledge travels further, innovation grows stronger, and our shared future becomes brighter.”

The Center for International Affairs serves as the primary gateway for internationalization at Walailak University, facilitating global mobility, strategic academic partnerships, and international student services. For more information, visit https://www.cia.ac.th.