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Walailak University (WU) has officially welcomed 26 students from Indonesia, representing three institutions - Institut Teknologi dan Pendidikan Markandeya Bali (ITP Markandeya Bali), Universitas Mataram, and Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya - to participate in internship programs, also known as Cooperative Education, at WU and schools across Nakhon Si Thammarat Province.

The program, made possible through collaboration between the Center for Cooperative Education and Career Development, the School of Political Science and Public Administration at WU, and partner universities in Indonesia, enables students to gain professional experience while developing practical skills.

It also immerses students in new cultures and languages, enriching their learning journey and preparing them for the global workforce.

 

Representing WU at the orientation, held on 14 July 2025 at the Khoa Luang Chamber, Cooperative Education Building, were Assistant Professor Dr. Padungsak Suksa-Ard, Vice President; Assistant Professor Dr. Neeranat Kaewprasert Rakangthong, Dean of the School of Political Science and Public Administration; along with faculty members and student buddies. Leading the Indonesian delegation was Associate Professor Dr. I Wayan Numertayasa, Rector of ITP Markandeya Bali.

“I am deeply honored to welcome administrators and students from Indonesia to Walailak University,” said Vice President Padungsak Suksa-Ard. “And it is very pleasing to see the School of Political Science and Public Administration at Walailak University working hand in hand with Indonesian institutions to promote cooperative education and student exchange over the years.”

Vice President Padungsak emphasized that Cooperative and Work-Integrated Education (CWIE) is a key policy at Walailak University, aimed at preparing students for the workforce through practical training before their graduation. “To achieve high-quality Cooperative Education, it is important to have strong partners to walk alongside us,” he added.

 

Over the next two months, the Indonesian students will undertake internships at WU and schools in the province. In addition to gaining hands-on experience in their respective fields, they will be paired with Thai buddies who will help them adapt to the local environment, learn basic Thai, and participate in cultural activities - fostering friendships, building networks, and deepening cross-cultural understanding.

Dr. Attanan Tachopisalwong, Director of the Center for Cooperative Education and Career Development at WU, said that international students who undertake internships in Thailand gain not only valuable work experience but also meaningful exposure to Thai culture.

He added that governments in countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia are actively supporting students in gaining overseas internship experiences, especially those involving cross-cultural learning. This is why many students from these countries choose Thailand as their destination.

Another reason students choose WU, Dr. Attanan explained, is the university’s strong network of international collaborations - whether through formal agreements such as Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and Memoranda of Agreement (MoAs), or through positive feedback from alumni.

“Many students hear from alumni who completed internships at Walailak that they had a great experience here. They appreciated the welcoming atmosphere, the friendliness of the Thai people, and the supportive environment - which made them feel at home,” he said.

Since the beginning of its academic offerings in 1998, Cooperative Education has been an integral part of teaching and learning at WU. The number of WU students participating in overseas internships has grown steadily - from just six students in 2002 to 63 in 2018 - across 34 international organizations in countries such as Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Korea, Germany, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

On the inbound side, although the number is still relatively small, the number of international students interning at Walailak has also increased - from 16 in 2022 to 32 in 2025 - with most students coming from Indonesia, Malaysia, and the UK. This growth reflects WU’s continued commitment to global engagement and to shaping globally competent graduates, while providing an environment where both students and staff thrive in cultural diversity and inclusion.

 





News by Settaboot Onphakdee, Division of Corporate Communication