สถาบันส่งเสริมการวิจัยและนวัตกรรมสู่ความเป็นเลิศ มหาวิทยาลัยวลัยลักษณ์

Category: Top news

News about research or outstanding research activities.

Policy Briefing by the President on Supporting International Research Co-Publication

📢 The Research and Innovation Institute of Excellence held a policy briefing session

Guidelines on Supporting International Co-Publication with Overseas Scholars

On 10 February 2026, the Research and Innovation Institute of Excellence organized a briefing to promote and support research publication in collaboration with international scholars. The initiative aligns with Walailak University’s development direction toward becoming a world-class research-intensive university.

According to the 2026 World University Rankings, Walailak University ranked in the 1201–1500 band globally and 6th in Thailand, with a notable strength in Research Quality ✨

The event was honored by distinguished speakers:

🔹 Prof. Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, President — delivered the policy address
🔹 Associate Professor Dr. Siwarit Pongsakornrungsilp, Vice President for Research and Innovation — provided guidance and answered questions
🔹 Asst. Prof. Dr. Patnarin Supakorn, Director of the International Affairs Center — presented funding opportunities supporting international co-publication
🔹 Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wichitpan Rongwong, Acting Director of the Institute — presented AI tools for identifying research collaborators and publication support strategies

A total of 66 researchers from 13 schools attended the event, reflecting strong engagement and commitment among faculty members to elevate research output to the international stage 🌏

February 17, 2026
Walailak University Organizes the Human Research Ethics Training Program for Fiscal Year 2026
On Saturday, 31 January 2026, the Institute for Research and Innovation Promotion toward Excellence, in collaboration with the Forum for Ethical Review Committees in Thailand (FERCIT), organized the Human Research Ethics Training Program (Thai-language Course) at Bhattarathamaporn Conference Room, 9th Floor, Building B, Walailak University Medical Center Hospital.

The objective of this training program was to enhance participants’ understanding of the principles and criteria for ethical review of research involving human subjects, including risk and benefit assessment for research participants, the informed consent process, ethical considerations in various types of research, good clinical and research practices, and standard operating procedures of human research ethics committees. The program aimed to improve the quality of academic research and ensure compliance with international standards on human research ethics. The training was attended by more than 120 participants, including faculty members, researchers, students, and university personnel.

The distinguished speakers from the Forum for Ethical Review Committees in Thailand (FERCIT) were as follows:
- Dr. Anothai Phokathikorn (Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University)
- Colonel Associate Professor Dr. Nithipan Suksumegh (Phramongkutklao College of Medicine)
- Colonel Associate Professor Dr. Naiyarat Prasongsuk (Phramongkutklao College of Medicine)
- Assistant Professor Dr. Nithikun Aksorn (Navamindradhiraj University)
On this occasion, Associate Professor Dr. Wichitpan Rongwong, Acting Director of the Institute for Research and Innovation Promotion toward Excellence, graciously presided over and delivered the opening remarks for the training program.

Following the training, participants were required to complete a post-test and a short satisfaction survey, the results of which will be used to further develop and improve future training programs. Participants who achieved a post-test score of no less than 80 percent were awarded a certificate of completion.

The Institute for Research and Innovation Promotion toward Excellence is committed to supporting faculty members, researchers, students, and personnel in becoming competent, responsible, and ethically grounded researchers, in alignment with international standards of research ethics.
February 4, 2026
You Are Invited to Join The 5th Walailak Research Convention 2026 (WRC 2026)

Walailak University, through the Research and Innovation Institute of Excellence (RIIE), cordially invites researchers, academics, students, and interested participants to attend The 5th Walailak Research Convention 2026 (WRC 2026), taking place on March 25–28, 2026, at Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.

    The conference theme is: “Global Higher Education Synergy in Driving Carbon Neutrality and Sustainability.”

    WRC 2026 serves as an international platform for knowledge exchange, research collaboration, and innovation networking aimed at advancing carbon neutrality and sustainability goals through global higher education synergy and emerging technologies.

Official Opening Ceremony

    • Date: March 26, 2026

    • Venue: Bussarakham Meeting Room, Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Natural History Museum, Walailak University

    • Live broadcast via Facebook: Walailak Channel

Conference Highlights Include:

    • Opening Ceremony Address by national executive leadership

    • Keynote Speech by an internationally recognized scholar

    • International Panel Discussion:

        “The 2030 Agenda: Leveraging AI for a Sustainable Future”

    • Oral Presentations

    • Parallel Sessions

    • Special Sessions

    • Walailak Investor Day 2026

Registration: https://forms.gle/QS3VBBxgWdBssqHS6

More Information: https://wrc.wu.ac.th/2026

Tel.: +66 7576 3558

January 30, 2026
Invitation to Participate in Walailak Research Convention 2026 (WRC 2026)

Walailak University cordially invites scholars, researchers, students, and interested participants to attend the 5th Walailak Research Convention 2026 (WRC 2026), to be held during 25–28 March 2026 at Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, in celebration of the 34th Anniversary of Walailak University.

The convention is organized under the theme:
“Global Higher Education Synergy in Driving Carbon Neutrality and Sustainability”
and aims to promote international knowledge exchange, foster global research collaboration, and highlight the vital role of higher education in addressing sustainability and climate challenges.

The Official Opening Ceremony will take place on 26 March 2026, from 08:30–12:00 hrs., at the Bussarakham Meeting Room, Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Natural History Museum. The program features keynote speeches, high-level policy talks, and an international panel discussion delivered by distinguished experts from leading institutions worldwide.

Participants will gain valuable insights into artificial intelligence, sustainable innovation, and carbon neutrality, while expanding academic and professional networks on a global platform.

📌 Free participation
📌 Registration: https://forms.gle/QS3VBBxgWdBssqHS6
🔗 More information: https://wrc.wu.ac.th/2026

January 29, 2026
Research and Innovation Institute of Excellence (RIIE)Hosts Special Lecture on “Strategies and Experiences in Securing International Research Grants”

On Friday, December 26, 2025, the Institute for Excellence in Research and Innovation Promotion organized a special lecture titled “Strategies and Experiences in Securing International Research Grants.” The event was presided over by Assoc.Prof.Dr. Siwarit Pongsakornrungsilp, Vice President for Research and Innovation, who delivered the opening remarks.

The institute was honored to have Research Professor Dr. Jetsumon Prachumsri, Associate Dean for Research at the Faculty of Tropical Medicine and Head of the Mahidol Vivax Research Unit (MVRU), as the keynote speaker. Dr. Jetsumon shared her extensive knowledge, firsthand experiences, and strategic approaches to developing high-quality research proposals for international funding agencies.

This event served as a collaborative platform for researchers to exchange ideas and gain direct insights from a leading expert. Participants received valuable consultations and recommendations on elevating their research proposals to meet international standards, fostering future global research networks and collaborations.

The lecture drew significant interest, with 55 researchers attending from 12 different schools. This high turnout reflects the enthusiasm and commitment of the university’s research personnel to elevating their work to a global stage.

January 19, 2026
Research and Innovation Institute of Excellence Organizes the “AI for Academic Excellence” Workshop to Enhance Publication Capacity through Artificial Intelligence

On Wednesday, 3 December 2025, the Research and Innovation Institute of Excellence organized an online hands-on workshop entitled “AI for Academic Excellence: Enhancing Publication Capacity through Artificial Intelligence” via Zoom Meeting. The opening ceremony was presided over by Associate Professor Dr. Siwit Pongkarangsilp, Vice President for Research and Innovation, who officially opened the program and emphasized the importance of applying artificial intelligence to advance research quality and academic publishing.

The workshop was honored by Professor Dr. Panita Wannapiroon, Head of the Department of Information and Communication Technology for Education, Faculty of Industrial Education, and Head of the Innovation and Technology Management Research Center, Research and Development Office of Science and Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok. She also serves as Chairperson of the IEEE Education Society Thailand Chapter. Professor Dr. Panita served as the keynote speaker, sharing her academic expertise and professional experience with participants.

The training program aimed to enhance participants’ knowledge and understanding of the application of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the research process and the preparation of academic manuscripts. The workshop focused on the use of AI to support data analysis, improve scholarly writing, and develop effective prompt engineering techniques, thereby increasing the quality and publication potential of research outputs at both national and international levels.

The workshop attracted strong interest from academic staff and researchers, with a total of 80 participants in attendance. Participants are expected to apply the knowledge and skills gained to systematically and efficiently develop and refine their research manuscripts, contributing to higher-quality and more impactful scholarly publications.

สถาบันส่งเสริมการวิจัยและนวัตกรรมสู่ความเป็นเลิศจัดโครงการอบรมเชิงปฏิบัติการ เรื่อง AI for Academic Excellence เพิ่มศักยภาพการตีพิมพ์ด้วยปัญญาประดิษฐ์

Interested individuals may access the recorded training videos at:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1DE5l793b4exWS1BxpvsCanA51kURvlZ2?usp=sharing

December 4, 2025
Research and Innovation Institute of Excellence Organizes Workshop on “Developing Research Programs and Proposal Writing”

The Research and Innovation Institute of Excellence organized a workshop titled “Developing Research Programs and Research Proposal Writing” under the Network for Research Project during 28–29 November 2025 at Sea Stone Hotel, Sichon District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. The workshop aimed to strengthen research collaboration within the university, enhance researchers’ competencies in developing high-quality research programs and proposals, and support the preparation of competitive submissions for external funding in Fiscal Year 2027. A total of 44 researchers participated in the event.

The event was honored by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Witchitpan Wongwong, Director of the Research and Innovation Institute of Excellence, who delivered the opening remarks and a keynote session on “How to Craft Research Proposals that Captivate Funding Agencies.” This was followed by a panel discussion on “Funding Landscape and Key Strategies,” featuring Assoc. Prof. Dr. Udomsak Saeng-ngow from the School of Medicine and Asst. Prof. Paphan Nilsawas Duhaimelin from the School of Political Science and Public Administration.

Throughout the two-day workshop, participating researchers worked collaboratively to develop research program plans and project proposals. The session concluded with the presentation of concept proposals, allowing participants to receive constructive feedback from experts to refine and strengthen their proposals for future submission.

This initiative reflects the university’s commitment to fostering high-quality research and building a strong research network capable of driving knowledge and innovation toward sustainable development.

November 28, 2025
The Research and Innovation Institute of Excellence Holds Contract Signing Meeting and Briefing on Fundamental Research Grants for Fiscal Year 2026

The Research and Innovation Institute of Excellence organized a meeting for the contract signing and briefing on the Fundamental Research Grants for Fiscal Year 2026 on 8 October 2025, from 3:00–4:30 p.m.

The meeting was chaired by Associate Professor Dr. Siwit Phongsaransilp, Vice President for Research and Innovation, who presided over the event and provided policy guidance on research advancement in line with the direction of the Office of the National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO). On this occasion, the Vice President for Research and Innovation presented an overview of national research and innovation policies and explained how these policies are integrated with Walailak University’s strategy for driving fundamental research grants to achieve the University’s goals and to respond to the country’s development direction. He also signed the research grant contracts on behalf of Walailak University. For Fiscal Year 2026, a total of 39 research projects have been allocated funding under the Fundamental Research Grant scheme. During the meeting, Associate Professor Dr. Siwit Phongsaransilp formally signed the research project implementation contracts representing the University.

In addition, Mr. Jaran Patchimphet, General Administration Officer of the Research and Innovation Institute Promotion for Excellence, provided clarification on grant administration procedures, monitoring and evaluation processes, and the submission of research outputs related to the Fundamental Research Grants. This briefing aimed to ensure that principal investigators clearly understand the requirements, enabling effective and transparent grant management in compliance with relevant regulations, and ensuring that research outputs are delivered in full accordance with the performance agreements between Walailak University and NXPO.

The meeting reflects Walailak University’s commitment to strengthening research management systems, supporting researchers throughout the project lifecycle, and enhancing the impact of fundamental research in alignment with national and institutional strategies.

สถาบันส่งเสริมการวิจัยและนวัตกรรมสู่ความเป็นเลิศจัดประชุมการลงนามในสัญญาและรับฟังการชี้แจงทุนวิจัยมูลฐาน ประจำปีงบประมาณ 2569

สถาบันส่งเสริมการวิจัยและนวัตกรรมสู่ความเป็นเลิศจัดประชุมการลงนามในสัญญาและรับฟังการชี้แจงทุนวิจัยมูลฐาน ประจำปีงบประมาณ 2569

October 8, 2025
Walailak University to Host Walailak Research Day 2025 (WRD 2025) “Showcasing Research to Drive Utilization and Foster Collaborations for a Sustainable Future”

Walailak University is pleased to announce the upcoming Walailak Research Day 2025 (WRD 2025), which will take place on Wednesday, 17 September 2025, from 08.30 to 16.30 hrs. at the Atrium, School of Architecture and Design Building, Walailak University.
This annual event will showcase high-quality research and innovations, serving as a platform for researchers, faculty members, students, and stakeholders to exchange knowledge, foster academic collaboration, and drive impactful research for a sustainable future.
🔹 Event Highlights
Opening Ceremony & Keynote Speech
Delivered by Professor Vissanu Meeyoo, Ph.D., Vice President, Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO).
Insight Talk (15.30 – 16.30 hrs.)
“Unlocking the Keys to Research Success: Funding & Publication”
Featuring distinguished speakers from Walailak University:
-Assoc.Prof.Dr. Mudtorlep Nisoa
-Assoc.Prof.Dr. Phongpichit Channuie
-Assoc.Prof.Dr. Thanongsak Imjai
-Asst.Prof. Pafun Nilsawas Duhamel
-Assoc.Prof.Dr. Chuchard Punsawad
🔹 Exhibition Sessions
Research Excellence Showcase – Outstanding research from Centers of Excellence and Research Centers
Fundamental Fund Highlights – Research supported by the Fundamental Fund (FF)
Emerging Researchers Zone – Research from early-career researchers and new faculty development programs
Innovation by Science Park WU – Commercial-ready research and innovations from Walailak University Science Park
Additionally, the Passion Zone will provide a unique space for young researchers to engage, network, and gain inspiration from senior researchers, further strengthening academic collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

September 15, 2025
Walailak University Drives Research and Innovation at RU Connext 2 (Southern Region)

On August 31 – September 1, 2025, Walailak University, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Siwarit Pongsakornrungsilp, Vice President, together with the Walailak University Science and Technology Park and the Research and Innovation Institute of Excellence, participated in RU Connext #2: “Connecting Thai Research to Real Applications” (Southern Region). The event was hosted at the Southern Science Park, Songkhla Province, and organized by the National Science, Research and Innovation Promotion Committee (NSRI) in collaboration with the Southern Higher Education Network.
The conference aimed to promote knowledge exchange and the translation of research and innovation into real-world applications across economic, social, regional, and policy dimensions. It also served as a platform for showcasing high-potential research from universities across Southern Thailand.

At the event, Walailak University presented its comprehensive approach to advancing research and innovation towards practical utilization. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Siwarit Pongsakornrungsilp highlighted the university’s role as a “Research Hub for Society and Innovation-Based Economy,” committed to generating positive impacts at both regional and national levels.
In addition, the Walailak University Science and Technology Park showcased various research prototypes and innovations in the exhibition, emphasizing their potential for commercialization and societal benefit.
Walailak University’s participation in RU Connext #2 underscores its strong commitment and capability in driving research and innovation into practice, while reinforcing collaboration among universities in the network to elevate Thai research to international standards.

September 2, 2025