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Walailak University officially opened the 5th Walailak Research Convention 2026 (WRC 2026) today, bringing together leading researchers, academics, policymakers, and industry partners from around the world to advance collaboration in research and innovation for a sustainable future.
Held from 25–28 March 2026 at Walailak University in Nakhon Si Thammarat, the convention marks the university’s 34th anniversary and reaffirms its growing role as an international research-driven institution.
Organized under the theme “Global Higher Education Synergy in Driving Carbon Neutrality and Sustainability,” WRC 2026 highlights the critical role of higher education institutions in addressing global challenges through research, innovation, and international partnerships.
Professor Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, President of Walailak University, reaffirmed the university’s ambition to achieve international recognition through impactful research and global engagement.
“We aim not only to participate actively in the global community of researchers but also to ensure our research drives positive societal changes,” he said.
He highlighted the university’s tangible contributions to sustainability, including solar energy initiatives, AI-driven healthcare research, and environmental conservation projects.
He added that WRC 2026 serves as a platform for translating research into real-world impact, fostering innovation that contributes to a more sustainable and resilient global society.
Associate Prof. Dr. Siwarit Pongsakornrungsilp, Vice President for Research and Innovation at Walailak University, emphasized that WRC has evolved into an important international academic platform, connecting scholars and partners worldwide.
This year’s event features more than 15 thematic sessions across key areas such as artificial intelligence for sustainability, medical technologies, environmental science, and social development, with participants from over 17 countries.
Delivering the opening address, Dr. Punpermsak Aruni, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), highlighted the importance of global collaboration in tackling pressing challenges.
“The theme of this year’s convention is highly relevant to the global challenges we face today,” he said. “Addressing these complex issues requires not only effective policies, but also strong collaboration in knowledge creation, research, and innovation to develop practical and lasting solutions."
He also underscored the transformative role of artificial intelligence, noting that it has “tremendous potential to support data-driven decision-making, strengthen research capabilities, and generate innovative solutions to global challenges.”
A major highlight of the opening ceremony was the keynote address by Prof. Dr. Anthony Gerard O’Donnell, Senior Advisor for Global Partnerships at the Bioplastics Innovation Hub, Murdoch University, Australia.
In his talk on “The Future of Sustainable Innovation: Co-Creating AI for a Net-Zero Global Economy,” he offered a thought-provoking perspective on the dual role of artificial intelligence in sustainability.
He noted that AI has tremendous potential to help solve some of the world’s biggest challenges, including climate change, energy, and food security, adding that many of these problems cannot be solved within the required timeframe without AI.
At the same time, he cautioned that AI itself carries environmental costs, particularly in terms of energy consumption and carbon emissions.
“One of the things I think is important is that we don’t just look at the footprint of AI computing, but also its handprint—what is it we are actually using it for,” he said.
He emphasized that when applied strategically, AI can significantly accelerate progress toward net-zero goals, from optimizing energy systems to improving agricultural efficiency and reducing global food waste.
Highlighting its impact on education, he also called for universities to embrace AI as a transformative tool.
“I think many universities fear AI and they don’t want us to be using AI,” he said. “I think we need to tell our students: we expect you to use AI, and we will teach you how to use it properly.”
WRC 2026 features keynote lectures, international panels, and interdisciplinary sessions that explore the intersection of AI, sustainability, and global development, reflecting the increasing importance of collaborative innovation in addressing complex global issues.
The convention is expected to strengthen international research networks, inspire innovation, and enhance Walailak University’s global academic reputation.
As a dynamic platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange, WRC 2026 underscores Walailak University’s commitment to producing impactful research that contributes to carbon neutrality, sustainable development, and the global good.
News by Settaboot Onphakdee, Division of Corporate Communications
