Walailak University Leaps Forward! Ranked Among the Top 5 Global Universities for Stewardship and Outreach in THE Impact Rankings 2024
Recently, Times Higher Education (THE), a global university ranking institution from the United Kingdom, released its THE Impact Rankings 2024 report. This report, featured on pages 16-18, covers the rankings of the top universities in terms of internal policies and practices (Top Universities for Stewardship) and the top universities for social outreach at local, regional, and global levels (Top Universities for Outreach). The report reveals that Walailak University has been ranked 3rd and 4th in the world.
According to the report, the university with the highest score for internal policies and practices is Afe Babalola University in Nigeria, with 98.2 out of 100 points. It is followed by RMIT University in Australia, which scored 96.1 points. Walailak University in Thailand is ranked 3rd with 95.6 points. Batterjee Medical College in Saudi Arabia also received high scores, along with Swansea University, Northumbria University, and University of Exeter in the United Kingdom.
Walailak University achieved high scores in these rankings due to its strong performance on indicators related to sustainable management practices within the university. These include efforts in reducing hunger through diverse and affordable food options and effective food waste management (SDG2), efficient water management with measures to reduce water pollution and processes for water reuse (SDG6), the provision of green spaces and recreational areas, and the preservation of arts and culture (SDG11). Additionally, the university offers comprehensive physical and mental health care for its community (SDG3), among other initiatives. The university’s policies are all designed to ensure that its activities are conducted within the framework of sustainable development.
In terms of social outreach at the local, regional, national, and global levels, Afe Babalola University in Nigeria also topped this category, scoring 98 out of 100 points. The University of Minnesota and Arizona State University, Tempe, in the United States, followed with 97.0 and 96.2 points, respectively, securing the 2nd and 3rd positions. Walailak University, Thailand, ranked 4th with 95.8 points.
Walailak University’s high ranking in social outreach is attributed to its comprehensive academic services, which integrate collaboration across sectors to create jobs, enhance education, improve health, restore resources and the environment, and strengthen community, society, and culture. These efforts align with the university’s academic service model, the WU Happy Tree, which is closely linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Walailak University has tailored its academic services to the context of its location, focusing on improving agriculture (SDG2), restoring marine and coastal resources (SDG14), managing water resources (SDG6), preserving southern Thai culture, such as the Manora dance and the ancient city of Tum Phang (SDG11), and providing healthcare services through its medical center, including care for the elderly and bedridden patients (SDG3). The university also promotes educational equity, applies the Sufficiency Economy philosophy in teaching, and provides academic services to develop English language skills for educators and students (SDG4). Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of integrating collaboration at local, regional, national, and international levels to implement academic service projects that address sustainable development goals (SDG17).
The THE Impact Rankings 2024 evaluated universities’ contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) based on four main criteria: 1) Research, 2) Stewardship, 3) Outreach, and 4) Teaching.
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