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Walailak University (WU) has recently been honored with two prestigious awards from the Global Good Governance (3G), which announced President of WU Professor Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong as the winner of 3G Award for Advocacy of Social Responsibility in Higher Education and WU as the recipient of 3G Excellence Award for Green Campus 2024.

The 3G awards, organized by the UK-based financial intelligence house Cambridge IFA, have celebrated individuals and organizations embodying good governance and driving transformations in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) since 2016. This year’s ceremony, the ninth, took place at Shangri-La, the Fort Manila, Philippines, on the 29^th of April.

Professor Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong said Walailak University, as one of Thailand’s leading Global and Frontier Research Universities, places strong emphasis on promoting SDGs and green campus through concerted efforts from every organization within the university, particularly under the leadership of the Center for Academic Services (CAS). 

"This year marks the first time we submitted a nomination for the 3G Awards. The awards committee, comprising representatives from government, industry, and academia, evaluated our information from publicly available sources, and we also provided additional evidence to support our work. It is indeed a great honor that we received two prestigious awards this year," said Professor Dr. Sombat.

Representing WU to receive the awards in Manila was Assistant Professor Dr. Amonsak Sawusdee, Director of WU CAS. During the event, the 3G Report was launched, and the summit was held under the theme Aligning Good Governance with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which serves as a platform for discourse and engagement toward insights into governance, ethics, and sustainability.

Since assuming the presidency in mid-2016, Professor Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong has led Walailak University through transformations in various areas, including research, teaching and learning, and academic services.

In 2023, Walailak University's dedication to SDGs earned it a ranking of 401-600 in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, out of approximately 1,700 universities spanning 115 countries. The university excelled in four SDGs: SDG2 (Zero Hunger), SDG6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG14 (Life Below Water), positioning it among the top 100 globally. Prominent examples of the university's advancement of the SDGs include the implementation of the Blue Crab Bank in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani provinces, resulting in a substantial increase in blue crabs in natural habitats; the university’s reservoir project, capable of storing up to 2.4 million cubic meters of water, reducing groundwater consumption and providing a source of raw water for nearby communities; the use of solar cells and electric shuttle cars for in-campus transportation, reducing fuel consumption; and collaborations with governmental and private sectors to restore damaged coral reefs and construct artificial fish habitats enhancing aquatic ecosystems.

Walailak University's effort in promoting environmental sustainability is also apparent in the 2023 UI Greenmetric World University Rankings, which placed Walailak University at 83^rd worldwide and 6^th in Thailand, making it the best green campus in Thailand's Southern region. The university's 534-acre botanic park serves as a preservation site for plant and animal biodiversity, a source of knowledge for science students, and a recreational area for the public. Additionally, the university’s advocacy for the reduction of plastics and food waste and the incorporation of SDGs into General Education courses has raised awareness and promoted sustainable behavior among students.

“This achievement represents another significant milestone of the university’s effort in promoting Sustainable Development Goals. We are very proud that our academic services have reached an international standard and recognition. We strive to be a Global and Frontier Research University to drive positive changes, create sustainable impacts, and improve the quality of life for Thai people and international communities through our education, research and innovation, academic services, and stakeholder engagement,” remarked Dr. Amonsak.