Ambassador Millicent Cruz Paredes is presented by Dr. Suthasinee Sangkhum and other Walailak University officials with a basket of university-developed products.
BANGKOK, 03 SEPTEMBER 2024 - A delegation of university officials from the Walailak University, led by Dr. Suthasinee Sangkhum, Assistant to the President, paid a courtesy visit to Ambassador Millicent Cruz Paredes on 30 August to discuss and explore more areas of academic collaboration between the university and Philippine educational institutions.
The discussion highlighted Walailak University’s goal of enhancing international partnerships and engagements with the international community as it expands its academic offerings and student body.
Dr. Suthasinee emphasized that, as a leading institution in southern Thailand, the university has remained committed for the past 30 years to serving the region through its various colleges, medical and hospital facilities as well as research centers. The university has several established research centers such as the Center for Sustainable Disaster Management, the Center in Data Science, Research in Tropical Pathobiology, Center for Aquaculture Technology and Innovation, Center of Excellence on Women and Social Security, and the Center on Wood and Biomaterials, among others.
As part of its broader goals, Walailak University is working to expand its appeal and role in the international and global community. The other members of the delegation, Dr. Suchita Manajit, Deputy Dean of the International College; Dr. Chantira Wongnen, Deputy Dean of the School of Agricultural Technology and Food Industry; and Dr. Subhan Pathak from the College of Graduate Studies, underscored the university’s efforts to build relationships with international partners.
Their efforts include a range of collaborative initiatives like exchange programs to facilitate student and faculty movement, scholarship offers for undergraduate, masters and postgraduate programs, and signing of agreements and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize the structures for international collaborations. In particular, Dr. Suthasinee hopes to work further with the Philippine government to strengthen the university’s nursing program.
Dr. Suthasinee shared that the university has established MOUs with six (6) Philippine universities namely: University of the Philippines (UP) Manila, De La Salle University (DLSU), Far Eastern University (FEU), Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU), Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), and Ifugao State University (IFSU). Currently, there are 11 Filipino researchers and lecturers working for the university.
The Ambassador was pleased to note that Walailak University has forged strong collaborative ties and networks with Philippine academia. The MOUs with leading educational institutions in the Philippines reflect a solid partnership, given that these universities are recognized as leaders in their respective fields.
Aside from its academic offerings and research facilities, Dr. Suthasinee also took the opportunity to showcase the university's picturesque natural surroundings, highlighting that the university is set against a backdrop of mountains and the beauty of the ocean, making the university a conducive and welcoming environment for all types of students, faculty and researchers, and an attractive setting for field research on various topics.
The meeting concluded with an invitation from Dr. Suthasinee for the Ambassador to visit the university and experience its facilities and offerings firsthand. END
