Celebrating 34 Years of Excellence: Walailak University to Host the WRC 2026 International Conference.
The Research and Innovation Institute of Excellence at Walailak University, in collaboration with the University’s Centers of Excellence and research centers, is preparing to host the fifth “Walailak Research Convention 2026” (WRC 2026). The international conference will be held under the theme “Global Higher Education Synergy in Driving Carbon Neutrality and Sustainability,” alongside “Walailak Investor Day 2026.”
Organized in a hybrid format to celebrate the 34th anniversary of Walailak University’s founding, the event will bring together distinguished scholars from several countries. More than 1,000 onsite and online participants are expected to attend the convention, which will take place from 25 to 28 March 2026 at Walailak University.
A major highlight of the WRC 2026 opening ceremony will be the participation of Dr. Panperm Arunee, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI). Dr. Panperm will preside over the ceremony and deliver a special keynote address titled “The Roles of Higher Education in Driving Carbon Neutrality and Sustainability,” outlining the future role of Thai higher education institutions on the global stage.
The event will also feature a special lecture titled “The Future of Sustainable Innovation: Co-Creating AI for a Net-Zero Global Economy,” delivered by Professor Anthony Gerard O’Donnell, Ph.D., a sustainability innovation expert from the Bioplastics Innovation Hub (BIH), Murdoch University, Australia.
Another major highlight will be a panel discussion titled “The 2030 Agenda: Leveraging AI for a Sustainable Future.” The session will bring together distinguished experts from around the world, including:
Professor Dr. Andrew Macrae, Deputy Director of the Bioplastics Innovation Hub, Murdoch University, Australia, and UFRJ Coordinator, Brazil
Professor Dr. Ricky Y. K. Chan, College of Professional and Continuing Education, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR
Professor Dr. Oluwarotimi W. Samuel, Head of the DRIT Research Group and Senior Lecturer at the University of Derby, United Kingdom
Associate Professor Dr. Warit Jawjit, Vice President for Administration and Sustainable Development, Walailak University, Thailand
In addition to the keynote lectures, the convention will offer a wide range of workshops and specialized academic seminars. Expert speakers from several countries—including Japan, the United States, Portugal, Singapore, India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Ethiopia, and Brazil—will share their expertise and provide in-depth insights across various fields.
Researchers, academics, private-sector representatives, and other interested participants can find further information and register for the event at the WRC 2026 website.
Source: Walailak University website