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The number of student applications doubled since 2020. An increase was expected as a result of the university’s teaching and learning reforms and progress in world rankings.

Walailak University announced the results of the portfolio round of student admissions through the Thai University Central Admission System (TCAS) of the 2021 school year. The data revealed that the number of applicants increased twofold this year. An increase was an anticipated outcome of university reforms aiming to be a high-quality and effective university. Notable changes included adopting the UKPSF accreditation system from England for the purpose of managing classrooms and advancing Walailak University to world rankings.

Associate Professor Dr. Charun Bunyakan, the vice president of the academic section of Walailak University, disclosed afterwards that WU’s first or portfolio round of admission, August 20th - January 24th,  had originally proposed to admit a total of 2531 students. Interest exceeded even the optimistic expectations as more than 6300 students began applications, of which 4120 completed them. Those completed applicants now await the results for a spot among a projected new incoming class of 5000 plus students.

“If comparing with the 2020 Portfolio round’s statistics, there were 2400 pupils selected for admittance through the clearing house system and 50%, or about 1200 of them,  confirmed their seat.  At the current pace in this 2021 portfolio round, there will be many more than 5000 students who will pass through the clearing house system of CUPT, Council of University Presidents of Thailand. If the number confirming their seat is the same as the last year--50%-- there will be 2500 new pupils in the university after only the first round of admission, which is close to the desired number of 2531 new acceptances,” Dr. Charun said.

He also reported that the most sought-after curriculum is the same as it has been the past few years, with the health sciences, including medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and public health topping the lists. Meanwhile, in schools like engineering and technology, liberal arts, and political science and laws, acceptances are already exceeding the programs’ planned admissions.

The quality of incoming applicants is also increasing alongside the quantity.  In the 2020 school year, applicant grade point averages were 3.12; meanwhile, the grade point averages of the 2021 applicants is 3.28, a full point higher. Applications are also coming in from parts other than the southern region, with 218 applicants from the northeastern region, 199 from the Bangkok metropolitan region, and 79, 54, 44, and 34 applicants from the central, western, eastern and northern regions, respectively.

Furthermore, Dr. Charun explained the significant factors responsible for the increase in applicants in this first round, which is occurring as the overall number of new Thai students is decreasing. The boost comes from the mighty leap in university improvements during the past 4 years under the leadership of the current president, Professor Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, who has advanced policies such as UKPSF in order to lead WU to deliver a highly effective classroom experience. There are now 29 teachers who are certificated with a “Fellowship” by England’s AdvanceHE; this is the highest number of teachers thus certificated anywhere in Thailand.

In addition, there is a policy whose purpose is to drive WU to become listed on world rankings. There is also support for learning and facilities in the basic university structure, including student dormitories, buildings, and laboratories that have been concretely improving. WU has the policy to closely superintend and supervise the university’s teachers, staff, and pupils.

“For quality education to happen,” said Associate Professor Dr. Charun Bunyakan, “we have to have effective teachers, high-quality studies, excellent student care processes, and the finest facilities—which are what we have in Walailak University. All parents can be assured that if you support your child in learning with us here, they will be effective students, and after graduation, they will absolutely be effective graduates for our country.”
 

By Phubes Thraisuwan, Division of Corporate Communication's trainee