ข่าวเด่น

Walailak University has continued to be recognized for its academic and research excellence on the global stage, having been ranked in five subject areas in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2026, with its strongest performance recorded in Social Sciences.

According to the rankings released on Wednesday, 21 January, the University achieved its strongest performance in Social Sciences, placing in the 601–800 band worldwide, and joint 3^rd in Thailand. In this subject table, 1,202 institutions from 104 countries were ranked, 14 of which are from Thailand.

Reflecting on the University’s strengths in this field, Associate Professor Dr. Budi Waluyo, one of Walailak University’s leading researchers in Social Sciences, highlighted the strong connection between teaching innovation, research, and societal relevance. Dr. Budi has also been recognized in Stanford University’s 2025 World's Top 2% Scientist List and is a recipient of the 2024 WU Princess Chulabhorn Gold Research Award.

“As a researcher and lecturer in English Language Teaching and technology-enhanced learning, I see Social Sciences at Walailak University grounded in teaching innovation through smart classrooms and active learning, alongside research that responds to societal needs,” said Dr. Budi. “Our culturally and linguistically diverse environment, shaped by international lecturers and students, strongly supports international collaboration and enriches academic exchange. Looking ahead, these strengths position Social Sciences at WU to deliver high-quality research with lasting local and global impact.”

In Medical and Health–formerly known as Clinical and Health–Walailak University was ranked in the 801–1000 band worldwide and joint 5^th in Thailand. The rankings in this subject include 1,230 universities from 102 countries, with 14 Thai universities represented.

For Life Sciences, Walailak University was also placed in the 801–1000 band worldwide, and joint 9^th in Thailand. In this table, 1,211 institutions from 98 countries were ranked, 18 of which are Thai institutions.

In Engineering, the University was ranked in the 1001–1250 band worldwide, and joint 9^th in Thailand. This year’s Engineering rankings feature 1,555 institutions from 98 countries, including 18 Thai institutions.

Meanwhile, in Physical Sciences, Walailak University was ranked in the 1251+ band worldwide, and joint 14^th in Thailand. The subject table includes 1,497 institutions from 109 countries, 19 of which are from Thailand.

The THE World University Rankings by Subject 2026 assess universities using the same 18 performance indicators as the overall THE World University Rankings 2026, in which Walailak University was ranked in the 1201+ band worldwide and 6^th in Thailand, out of 2,191 institutions from 115 countries, 21 of which are from Thailand. The indicators are grouped into five key pillars: Teaching, Research Environment, Research Quality, Industry, and International Outlook, with subject-specific weightings applied to reflect the characteristics of each discipline.

In addition to the five subject areas in which Walailak University was ranked, the THE subject rankings also evaluate performance in Arts and Humanities, Business and Economics, Computer Science, Education Studies, Law, and Psychology. To be included in the subject rankings, a university must first be listed in the overall THE World University Rankings and meet the required publication thresholds and academic staff thresholds for each discipline.