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Walailak University has announced preparations to host the Walailak Research Convention 2026 (WRC 2026), an international academic conference under the theme “Global Higher Education Synergy in Driving Carbon Neutrality and Sustainability.” The event will be held alongside Walailak Investor Day 2026 as part of the celebrations marking the 34th anniversary of the university’s establishment.
On March 13, 2026, at the Khao Luang Chamber, Cooperative Education Building, Walailak University held a press conference to announce the upcoming 5th Walailak Research Convention 2026 (WRC 2026) and Walailak Investor Day 2026. The events will take place from March 25–28, 2026, at Walailak University in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province.
The events aim to promote research and innovation for commercial application while contributing to national progress toward sustainability. The press conference was led by Professor Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, President of Walailak University, together with Associate Professor Dr. Siwarit Pongsakornrungsilp, Vice President for Research and Innovation, Associate Professor Dr. Wichitpan Rongwong, Director of the Research and Innovation Institute of Excellence, and Assistant Professor Dr. Anurak Thungtong, Director of the Walailak University Science and Technology Park, with strong media participation.
Professor Dr. Sombat stated that Walailak University has placed strong emphasis on enhancing research quality and building a robust research ecosystem. As a result, the university was recently ranked 1201+ globally and 6th in Thailand in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026, with its research quality ranked among the top three in the country.
In addition, in the THE Impact Rankings 2025, which assess universities’ contributions to sustainable development, Walailak University advanced into the Top 100 globally, ranking 93rd in the world and 5th in Thailand.
The university has also seen a steady increase in research publications in Q1–Q2 international academic journals. In 2025, Walailak University produced 1,028 Q1–Q2 publications. Within the first two months of 2026 (January–February) alone, 163 papers had already been published.
Importantly, the university’s research has gained increasing international recognition. In the Q1 category, 81.6% of publications in 2025 were cited, rising to 84% in 2026. For Q1–Q2 publications, the citation rate increased from 92.9% in 2025 to 93.8% in 2026.
“Currently, Walailak University has 25 centers of excellence and specialized research centers, which play a key role in producing high-quality research and publishing in international journals. We believe that WRC 2026 and Walailak Investor Day 2026 will serve as important platforms for scholars and researchers to connect, while also bridging knowledge from the university to industry. This will help strengthen the country’s competitiveness and elevate Walailak University as a leading research university on the global stage in a sustainable manner,” said Professor Dr. Sombat.
Associate Professor Dr. Siwarit Pongsakornrungsilp added that Walailak University is working with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) under the Reinventing University initiative, a national program aimed at modernizing higher education, fostering institutional excellence, and advancing universities toward becoming internationally recognized research institutions while producing highly competent graduates who meet national and global needs.
This year, WRC 2026 will be organized under the theme “Global Higher Education Synergy in Driving Carbon Neutrality and Sustainability.” Distinguished experts from nine countries - Japan, the United States, Portugal, Singapore, India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Ethiopia, and Brazil - will participate in in-depth knowledge exchange to support Thailand’s goals of Carbon Neutrality and Net Zero emissions.
Meanwhile, Walailak Investor Day 2026 will be held under the theme “Synergy of Innovation: Powering Regional Growth.” The event will provide a platform for entrepreneurs, investors, and researchers to meet, engage in business matching, exchange ideas, and help transform research from the laboratory into real-world commercial applications.
“Hosting these two events together reflects Walailak University’s strong potential - not only in generating knowledge but also in advancing innovation that drives economic growth, social development, and sustainable progress for both the region and the nation,” Associate Professor Dr. Siwarit concluded.
