Performance-driven President Sombat Thamrongthanyawong shares how good governance has transformed Walailak University during his eight-year journey of visionary leadership driving success in education, research and environmental responsibility.
How can we lead in a way that prioritizes people, innovation and sustainability? At Walailak University (WU), we’ve spent the past eight years focusing on this very challenge – showing that strong governance rooted in humanity can drive both institutional success and societal impact.
Governing with humanity means making decisions that put people first – students, faculty and the broader community. It’s about creating environments where individuals can thrive, and where education, research and sustainability are all part of the same mission.
Excellence in teaching
At WU, a key focus of our transformation has been teaching excellence. By adopting the UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF), we became the university in Thailand with the highest number of UKPSF-accredited faculty. Our lecturers are evaluated each semester, with a target score of 4.5 out of 5. In fact, 97% of our faculty achieved an average rating of 4.87.
This emphasis on high-quality teaching has led to measurable results. Over the past year, student enrolment grew from 3,200 to 3,700, while the average GPA increased from 2.95 to 3.42. These improvements show the impact of a strong academic environment where teaching excellence directly contributes to student success and institutional growth.
Culture of research excellence
Research is another key area of focus at WU. Faculty members dedicate 40% of their time to research, with a goal of publishing at least one world-class article annually. This commitment has earned us national recognition, including the international research publication award from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation.
In the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, WU rose to 1201+ globally and 6th in Thailand. Among universities under 50 years old, we ranked 501+ globally and 3rd nationally in the 2024 THE Young University Rankings. Our strong research focus not only boosts our rankings but also fosters ideas that drive global progress.
Leadership in sustainability
Sustainability has been a cornerstone of my presidency at WU. Universities must lead by example in environmental responsibility, and our efforts have been recognized in both the THE Impact Rankings and UI Green Metric World University Rankings. In 2024, WU advanced from 401+ to 101+ in the THE Impact Rankings, and from 365th in 2016 to 83rd in 2023 in the UI Green Metric. For four consecutive years, WU has been recognized as the top green university in southern Thailand.
These results reflect our commitment to sustainable infrastructure and campus operations. Our staff and students are actively involved in sustainability initiatives, preparing them to be environmental stewards and leaders in the global push for a greener future.
Shaping the future of human-centered governance
As the influential thinker Peter Drucker said, “Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” In higher education, good governance is not just about managing resources; it’s about leading with purpose, vision and humanity. It’s about creating environments where students, faculty and staff can thrive, contributing to a greater societal good.
The question we all face is: How can we lead with purpose to shape a more inclusive, sustainable future for higher education? The decisions we make now will ripple out and shape the learning environments of tomorrow. Let’s make sure we’re doing the right things, for the right reasons, to build a better, more connected world through education.
