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Walailak University has heightened a significant world university ranking milestone in its 31-year history, rising from the band of 1501+ in 2023 Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2023 THE WUR) to the 2024 THE WUR band of 1201-1500 among 1,904 research-intensive universities worldwide, according to the official 2024 THE WUR announcement on Wednesday 27 September 2023 at 9.00 PM local time in Thailand.

At the national level, Walailak University has made a quantum leap, moving up from the 11th place in 2023 THE WUR to her joint 6th place among the total of 19 Thai universities ranked by the 2024 Times Higher Education World University Rankings. 

Professor Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, President of Walailak University, said, “We are pleased to learn that Walailak University has achieved a higher ranking in this year’s Times Higher Education World University Rankings, positioned at 1201-1500 globally or at the joint sixth in Thailand. We have been working very hard during the past years, and as a young university, her current higher stride to the 2024 THE WUR at 1201-1500 bears immense significance. It enhances the credibility of our institution. In addition to promoting quality research, we have also placed a strong emphasis on providing quality teaching and learning and have implemented the United Kingdom Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF) in all our teaching programs. And we will continue to improve and progress.”

According to Times Higher Education, a total of 2,673 universities from 127 countries applied for the 2024 THE WUR, and 1,904 were ranked. For the 2023 THE WUR, 2,345 universities from 104 countries submitted their data, and 1,799 were ranked.

Walailak University performed particularly well this round in Research Quality, more than doubling from the last year’s percentile of 14.5 to 35.5. Research quality includes citation impact, research strength, research excellence, and research influence.

Associate Professor Dr. Surin Maisrikrod, Vice President for Global Engagement at Walailak University, said, "We are indeed very encouraged by the higher ranking this year, given the fact that this is only the second time WU joined the ranking since the establishment of the university in 1992”.

Dr. Surin added that the world university rankings that Walailak University is now a part of is one among manifestations of WU’s ambitions to be internationally recognized for its excellence in key areas, including research, teaching and learning, and social engagement.

Previously, Walailak University, located in a southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, achieved a global ranking of 501+ in the 2023 THE Young University Rankings, securing a joint third place among Thai THE Young Universities. In terms of her contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, the 2023 THE Impact Rankings awarded Walailak University a global rank of 401-600. The university's best four THE impact ranking performances among the top 100 worldwide included the following: SDG2 Zero Hunger (56^th place), SDG6 Clean Water and Sanitation (52^nd place), SDG11 Sustainable Cities and Communities (99^th place), and SDG14 Life Below Water (58^th place).

News by Division of Corporate Communication