News

Walailak University (WU) welcomed a delegation from Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta (UPNVJ), Indonesia, on 11 December 2025, marking a significant step forward in shared commitment to academic excellence, research, and innovation.

The delegation was received at the Honor Hall of Professor Dr. Wichit Srisa-an Building by the WU Vice Presidents Assoc. Prof. Dr. Surin Maisrikrod and Dr. Mongkol Teerananond. The visiting group included Dr. Bambang Susanto, MA., Acting Director of the Office of International Affairs; Asst. Prof. Dr. Jubaedah, SE., MM., Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business; and Asst. Prof. Dr. Miguna Astuti, Head of the Sub-International Office, Faculty of Economics and Business.

This visit builds upon a partnership established in December 2021. The collaboration was recently strengthened through a renewed MoU in August 2025, which expanded the scope of cooperation to include joint research, staff and student mobility, and community engagement.

A primary agenda of the visit was the development of a Double Degree Program in Management. Under the 2+2 framework, students will spend their first two years at UPNVJ and their final two years at WU. Both institutions are currently aligning curricula and course matching to ensure a seamless academic transition for future students.

In a move toward social entrepreneurship, the two universities launched a collaborative community service initiative. Led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Miguna, UPNVJ’s Faculty of Economics and Business is partnering with WU’s School of Accountancy and Finance to assess the feasibility of introducing an Indonesian snack to the Thai market. The project involves analyzing import regulations, conducting market validation, and surveying consumer preferences. It aims to generate sustainable income for rural Indonesian communities while introducing Thai consumers to unique Indonesian flavors.

Beyond these core projects, the collaboration between WU and UPNVJ continues to grow through visiting professor exchanges in Law, student exchange programs, and cultural activities designed to deepen people-to-people connections.

During the session, WU Vice President Assoc. Prof. Dr. Surin Maisrikrod, representing President Prof. Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, reaffirmed the university’s dedication to the partnership. He also highlighted WU’s focus on high-impact research and the cultivation of globally minded professional educators—values that resonate deeply with UPNVJ’s vision.

As these initiatives take shape, the collaboration between WU and UPNVJ serves as a model for cross-border cooperation. By combining academic rigor with tangible community support, both institutions are ensuring their partnership yields real benefits for students, faculty, and local economies in Thailand and Indonesia alike.
 

 



News by Settaboot Onphakdee, Division of Corporate Communication