Walailak University Holds Strategic Retreat to Shape Five-Year Plan toward Becoming a Leading Global University
Walailak University held a University Council Retreat to review its achievements and discuss future development priorities for the draft Walailak University Strategic Development Plan 2028–2032. The meeting focused on building upon the University’s progress in research and education as it advances toward becoming a leading global university.
On October 10, 2026, Mr. Thirachai Chemnasiri, Chairman of the Walailak University Council, together with Professor Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, President of Walailak University, University Council members, and senior administrators, attended the retreat at Khanom Sunrise Resort and Hotel in Khanom District, Nakhon Si Thammarat. Participants exchanged perspectives and policy recommendations to guide the University’s development over the five-year period covered by the new strategic plan.
Mr. Thirachai stated that the retreat provided an important opportunity to reflect on past performance and collectively shape the University’s future direction. He noted that its internationally recognized achievements—particularly its position in the 1001–1200 band in the THE World University Rankings 2027, ranking third in Thailand and first in Southern Thailand—resulted from the dedication and collaboration of administrators, faculty members, researchers, and staff at all levels.
The Council Chairman further explained that developing the Strategic Development Plan 2028–2032 involves answering two fundamental questions: what the University aspires to become and how its community can work together to achieve that vision. The retreat therefore encouraged open discussion of the University’s strengths, opportunities, and areas for improvement, drawing on participants’ collective experience and expertise.
“We may not have the perfect answers today, but I believe that if we listen to one another with open minds and bring together our experience and capabilities, we can develop the best possible answers for our University,” Mr. Thirachai said.
A key highlight was a presentation entitled “Walailak University’s Development over the Past Nine Years” by Professor Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong. He outlined the University’s steady progress since its debut in the THE World University Rankings in 2023 in the 1501+ band. The University subsequently advanced to the 1201–1500 band during 2024–2026 before moving into the 1001–1200 band in 2027.
Professor Dr. Sombat attributed this progress to sustained efforts to strengthen research quality across three principal fields: health sciences, science and technology, and social sciences. Between 2022 and 2026, University researchers produced more than 3,900 academic publications, nearly three-quarters of which appeared in first-quartile (Q1) journals indexed in Scopus. These efforts contributed to the University’s ranking of 734th globally and first in Thailand for Research Quality, with a score of 66.2—an increase of 9.8 points from the previous year.
The President also highlighted growing confidence in the University among prospective students. For the 2026 academic year, Walailak University recorded 56,900 applicants and admitted 4,152 new students, whose average cumulative grade point average (GPAX) was 3.46—the highest in the University’s history. These figures reflect its continued educational development and growing recognition.
The retreat served as an important forum for reviewing performance and gathering policy recommendations to inform the draft Walailak University Strategic Development Plan 2028–2032. The plan will establish a shared direction and common goals, strengthening the University’s educational and research capabilities while supporting its long-term ambition to become a leading global university.
News and photos courtesy of the Division of Planning and Strategy.