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Walailak University's Division of Human Resources and Organization opened "WU Innovation SDGs Plus 2026" on August 25, bringing together administrators and staff from 46 university divisions, centers, and schools to showcase workplace innovations designed to cut steps, save time, and reduce costs.

Professor Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, President of Walailak University, presided over the opening ceremony, held in the Pattarathammaporn Chamber at Walailak University Hospital.

Now in its fourth consecutive year, WU Innovation Day runs from August 25 to 27 and provides university staff with a platform to present innovations and process improvements to streamline operations across the institution. This year's event is held under the theme "SDGs Plus," a reference to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

"The heart of this event is to raise our operational performance across every dimension," Professor Dr. Sombat said, "building a culture of critical thinking and continuous improvement that cuts steps, saves time, and reduces costs — ultimately moving us toward becoming a high-performance organization."

He added that framing the event around the SDGs reflects the university's broader effort to improve the quality of teaching, research, and internal administration in ways that serve society while supporting environmental sustainability.

The event follows a marked improvement in Walailak University's standing in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Ratings 2026, released on June 24. The rankings assess universities across four core areas — Research, Stewardship, Outreach, and Teaching — to recognize institutions' contributions to global sustainability in line with United Nations targets.

Walailak University climbed to 47^th place worldwide and 3^rd in Thailand, up sharply from 93rd globally the previous year. The university also ranked among the world's top 30 institutions in four individual Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 2 Zero Hunger, SDG 5 Gender Equality, SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 14 Life Below Water.