ข่าววิชาการ-วิจัย-สัมมนา

Walailak University, through its School of Engineering and Technology and the Center of Excellence in Wood and Biomaterials, welcomed Assoc. Prof. Dr. Karol Sikora and Dr. Mohamad Alrifai of the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD), United Arab Emirates (UAE), for a research visit from 5 to 10 October 2026. The researchers carried out joint research and academic exchange at the Center and held talks with university leaders on ways to strengthen research cooperation.

The visit is part of a research project on the use of timber in building structures, funded by a research grant from the UAE. The project is led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Karol Sikora, with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suthon Srivaro of Walailak University’s School of Engineering and Technology as a collaborating researcher. The project brings together engineering and materials science to study timber’s properties, behavior and limitations, as well as its suitability for practical engineering applications. 

During the visit, the UOWD team met with Walailak University’s leadership team, including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Monthian Setkit, Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nirundorn Matan, Head of the Center of Excellence in Wood and Biomaterials; and Asst. Prof. Dr. Prachid Saramolee, Head of the Program in Petrochemical and Polymer Engineering. The discussions focused on understanding each institution’s approach, identifying topics to build on the current research, and exploring opportunities for wider academic collaboration in related fields.

The visit advanced the project’s planned work and also expanded the international academic network of the School of Engineering and Technology and the Center of Excellence in Wood and Biomaterials. By combining expertise from both institutions, the partners aim to lay a strong foundation for new research topics and for further joint work on wood, biomaterials and engineering.



 

Photos and information courtesy of the School of Engineering and Technology, Walailak University.