รางวัลมหาวิทยาลัย

Walailak University congratulates three outstanding researchers who have received the university’s highest recognition of excellence in research, the Princess Chulabhorn Gold Research​ Award 2024. This year’s recipients are Associate Professor Dr. Thanongsak Imjai from the School of Engineering and Technology; Assistant Professor Dr. Mark Bedoya Ulla, and Associate Professor Dr. Budi Waluyo from the School of Languages and General Education.

The Princess Chulabhorn Gold Research​ Award is conferred upon the university’s academic staff who have served at least three years and demonstrated outstanding research achievements. Awardees must be the first or corresponding author of at least 10 full-length research or review articles published in Scopus-indexed journals in Quartile 1 during 2024, with at least five publications ranked in the 90^th percentile or above.

Associate Professor Dr. Budi Waluyo, a researcher and lecturer at the School of Languages and General Education, shared that receiving the award means a great deal to him both personally and professionally.

“This award is not only a recognition of my research output but also a testament to my growth, resilience, and commitment to contributing to Walailak’s vision and the broader academic community.”

After completing his Ph.D. in the United States in 2017 and joining Walailak University shortly afterward, Dr. Budi had no prior experience publishing in Scopus-indexed journals. Soon after, however, the university introduced the one-to-one policy, requiring lecturers to publish at least one article per year in Quartile 1 or Quartile 2 Scopus-indexed journals. He took this as a challenge, learned the process of publishing in high-quality journals, and by 2019 achieved his first Scopus-indexed publication. Through persistence and continuous learning, he has since built a body of work totaling 72 Scopus-indexed publications.

“I believe the key factors behind this achievement were consistency and collaboration,” said Dr. Budi. “I have made it a practice to continue writing immediately after completing one article, which helps maintain momentum and productivity. Also, my international collaborations have been invaluable, as they not only expand the scope and diversity of my research but also enrich the quality and impact of my work.”

In 2024 alone, Dr. Budi had 23 publications. He noted that these were not the result of work done within a single year but rather the accumulation of efforts from earlier years, with some manuscripts completed as early as 2020. Consistency, he said, has been the key to reaching this level of productivity.

“I make it a point to keep writing one article after another, regardless of immediate outcomes. Over time, this steady rhythm has become part of my daily routine alongside teaching, almost like a habit. I don’t really see it as a secret, but more as a lifestyle of sustained commitment to research and writing.”

One of the research areas Dr. Budi is proudest of focuses on active learning and gamification - strategies he uses to reduce English learning anxiety and low motivation among students, while making the learning process more engaging. He often chooses to work with students who have very low levels of English proficiency. Many of them, he said, do not simply dislike English but “feel a strong resistance to it.”

“Some [students] cannot answer basic questions such as ‘How are you today?’ or read even a short sentence fluently. Yet, this is the group I most enjoy teaching.”

“By applying active learning techniques and gamified activities, I have been able to transform the classroom into an enjoyable and meaningful space,” he shared. “For me, enjoyment is not just about laughter, but about creating conditions where students experience genuine engagement and, eventually, their ‘aha’ moments.”

“Once they reach that point, they begin to learn English independently, without needing constant teacher direction.”

Continuous research in this area, conducted in both Indonesia and Thailand, has earned Dr. Budi over 650 citations. Seeing his work recognized, he said, is encouraging.

“This not only contributes to the academic understanding of how active learning and gamification can enhance language education, but also demonstrates a practical impact by offering strategies that help struggling learners gain confidence and autonomy in their English learning journey.”



Dr. Budi also praised Walailak University for its strong support in helping students improve their English proficiency. The university employs a large team of English lecturers, offers the highest number of foundational English instruction hours among Thai universities - up to 390 hours for first- and second-year students, implements English-Medium Instruction, introduces innovative approaches such as English edutainment, and ensures consultation hours for personalized support. However, he noted, the greatest challenge lies in helping students achieve the B1 level in CEFR benchmarks.

“Our English teaching emphasizes communication and the development of the four core skills, while proficiency assessments often focus primarily on test performance,” said Dr. Budi. “Striking a balance between fostering communicative competence and preparing students for standardized assessments is not easy.”

To address this, he explained, test-oriented materials are sometimes integrated into the curriculum so that students not only develop real-world English skills but also gain familiarity with exam-style questions. “This blended approach has helped bridge the gap between communicative learning and test readiness.”

When asked what advice he would give to students who want to become fluent and communicate confidently in English but find it challenging, Dr. Budi encouraged them to make English a natural part of everyday life.

“If you enjoy social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, use them in English: read posts, watch videos, write comments, and listen to content that interests you. Choose topics you genuinely like, because that will keep you motivated.”

“At first, it may feel difficult and you might not understand everything, but over time your brain will start to absorb the language naturally. With consistent exposure, English will become part of your daily routine, and using it will feel less like studying and more like a habit. That is the key to building both fluency and confidence.”

Looking ahead, Dr. Budi shared that his primary research goal is to reach 100 publications in Scopus-indexed journals within three years, starting from last year. Additionally, he aims to publish at least two books within the next five years, apply for professorship, and actively pursue research grants to support more impactful projects.

“Alongside these academic milestones, I remain committed to continuously improving my teaching practices and providing the best possible support and service to my students. Ultimately, my goals are not only about personal achievement but also about contributing to the growth of Walailak University and the wider academic community.”

The awardees will participate in the university’s commencement ceremony on 26 September 2025, where they will be conferred the award by Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Krom Phra Srisavangavadhana.

Photo courtesy of Associate Professor Dr. Budi Waluyo
Article by Settaboot Onphakdee, Division of Corporate Communication