Walailak University Hosts International Conference on "International Timber Engineering Education and Research Symposium"
Today (February 7, 2024), Walailak University, through the Center of Excellence in Wood and Biomaterials and the School of Engineering and Technology, organized the “International Timber Engineering Education and Research Symposium.” This conference provided a platform for exchanging knowledge on the use of timber in modern building structures, a practice gaining popularity internationally. The event aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The symposium took place at the Phattharamaporn Conference Room, 9th Floor, Building B, Walailak University Medical Center. Professor Dr. Sompot Tamrongtanyawong, Acting President of Walailak University, chaired the opening ceremony. Associate Professor Dr. Suthon Sriwaro, a faculty member from the Petrochemical and Polymer Program, School of Engineering and Technology, delivered the report. Dr. Kanap Ketsachat, Mayor of Nakhon Si Thammarat City, honored the event with a keynote speech on “Developing Nakhon Si Thammarat City in Accordance with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.”
Professor Dr. Sompot Tamrongtanyawong stated that Walailak University places great importance on managing and developing the university in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Recently, Walailak University was ranked in the 401-600 range globally in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2023 for SDGs. The university achieved top 100 scores in SDG2, SDG6, SDG11, and SDG14, demonstrating its commitment to environmental sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in construction.
Supporting the use of timber in construction aligns with the university’s goal to be a green university and contribute to a sustainable green society. Walailak University was recently ranked as the top green university in Southern Thailand for four consecutive years in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2023.
This international conference not only enhances the university’s global reputation in innovative research but also promotes knowledge exchange, fosters international research networks, and supports global environmental sustainability.
Associate Professor Dr. Sutthun Sriwaro remarked that climate change has become a significant global concern, attracting considerable attention from the construction industry. Greenhouse gas emissions are a major cause of global warming, making timber a popular choice for building construction due to its lower carbon footprint compared to other materials. Research in timber engineering has advanced rapidly in recent years, enabling timber buildings to rise to over eight stories, aligning with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals.
Dr. Sutthun further explained that the international conference aims to exchange knowledge on timber engineering education and research, drawing insights from successful markets in Canada, South Korea, and New Zealand. The conference will also focus on the potential of timber species in Thailand and other tropical regions. Walailak University has been actively researching this area and hopes the symposium will raise awareness about the importance and necessity of timber engineering education and research in Thailand. It aims to promote the use of available timber resources, foster collaboration between academics, industry, and government, and enhance the timber industry’s access to the construction sector, benefiting the country academically, economically, and socially.
The “International Timber Engineering Education and Research Symposium” is organized in collaboration with Walailak University, the University of British Columbia in Canada, Seoul National University in South Korea, and the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. The event attracted over 100 participants, including representatives from the Thai Timber Association, the timber industry, the construction sector, government and private organizations, as well as high school students, undergraduates, and graduate students.