English – Page 8 – School of Languages and General Education

SOLGEN visited and engaged in a knowledge exchange with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)

8 May 2025 – Morning Engagement
A delegation from the School of Languages and General Education (SOLGEN) led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Kannika Thongkhao, paid a courtesy visit to the Faculty of Education, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). The delegates included three lecturers from the General Languages Department—Asst. Prof. Khalid Midam, Dr. Sanhanut Kesornsit, and Dr. Jatuporn Parnthong—as well as two lecturers from the Languages Department, Aj. Ronaldo Cheed Wyeth Somoso Reye and Aj. Jose Luis Jacobson.
The delegation was warmly received by Dr. Khairul Azhar Jamaludin, Deputy Dean of Industrial Network Affairs, and Prof. Madya Dr. Harwati Hashim, Deputy Dean of Research and Innovation. Also in attendance were Dr. Hanita Hanim Ismail, Coordinator of International Relations, along with Dr. Nur Syafiqah Yaccob and Dr. Wong Wei Lun, lecturers at the Center for Innovation Studies for Learning and Teaching.
The meeting focused on exploring meaningful opportunities for academic and research collaboration between SOLGEN and the Faculty of Education, UKM. Both parties expressed a strong commitment to fostering a sustainable partnership and impactful academic exchange between the two institutions.

8 May 2025 – Afternoon Engagement
The SOLGEN delegation visited CITRA (School of Liberal Studies), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), for a collaborative engagement focused on academic development and future partnerships. The delegation was warmly welcomed by Dr. Daing Zairi Ma’arof, Deputy Dean of Industry & Society Network Affairs, along with members of CITRA’s management and administrative team. Also present was Mrs. Tuti Martini Mahmud, Head of Administration. During the session, both parties exchanged insights on their respective curricula, approaches to English language teaching, and various school activities. They also discussed current issues and challenges faced in language education, fostering a meaningful dialogue on shared experiences and solutions. The meeting further explored opportunities for collaboration in research, student development, and intercultural initiatives. Key highlights included SOLGEN’s potential participation in CITRA’s flagship event, the BRAVEHEART Carnival, and future joint academic and co-curricular programs.
Both institutions expressed a strong commitment to developing a long-term, impactful partnership that promotes innovation, global engagement, and academic excellence.

SOLGEN Lectures Participate in Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation at the 4th EGCO Rak Talay Camp

Assistant Professor Dr. Chuthamat Rattikansukha, Assistant Professor Dr. Rungruang Janta, and Assistant Professor Jenjira Kaewrat, lecturers from the School of Languages and General Education, along with their research team, participated in providing knowledge and raising awareness about natural resources and environmental conservation. They led activities exploring coastal benthic animals during the 4th EGCO Rak Talay Camp.

The event was organized by Khanom Electricity Generating Company Limited (KEGCO), in collaboration with Hat Khanom – Mu Ko Thale Tai National Park at the Khanom Power Plant in Khanom District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. Nearly 100 elementary school students participated in this educational initiative.

More details https://www.facebook.com/share/18xZVQowvJ/

SOLGEN Joins the “Walailak Songkran: Continuing Traditions Festival” 2025

Lecturers from the School of Languages and General Education participated in the “Walailak Songkran: Continuing Traditions” Festival on April 9, 2025, at the AD Building. The event was held to celebrate and preserve the beauty of Thai traditions during the Thai New Year.
Activities included a water blessing ceremony from respected elders to bring good fortune, bathing of the Buddha image as a symbolic act for blessings at work, traditional performances, retro-style circle dancing, and lively long drum music to add festive fun. The school also hosted a food booth where participants could enjoy making khanom krok (traditional Thai coconut pancakes).

Photo credit: The Center for Library Resources and Educational Media, Walailak University.

SOLGEN Holds Meeting to Discuss Remedial Teaching for Students with Grades Below C in Semester 2/2024

On April 1, 2025, the School of Languages and General Education (SOLGEN) held a meeting at Meeting Room 1, Academic Building 5, to discuss guidelines for providing remedial teaching for students who received grades lower than C in Semester 2/2024. The purpose of the initiative is to support students by offering opportunities to review course content, enhance learning development, and improve academic performance. The meeting was attended by the Deans and representatives from various schools, with approximately 20 participants.
From the discussion, SOLGEN outlined the following remedial teaching guidelines:

1.The respective schools must compile and submit the list of students who wish to attend remedial classes to SOLGEN via DOMS.
2.SOLGEN will prepare teaching schedules, group arrangements, and classroom assignments (in coordination with the Center for Educational Services), and provide the contact information of instructors or coordinators to the respective schools via DOMS.
3.Conduct an orientation session with the students regarding the remedial teaching program.
4.Implement remedial teaching during May 2025.
5.Hold a meeting to consider the correction of “I” grades.
6.Complete the correction of “I” grades within the first week of June 2025.

SOLGEN emphasized that the program will be carried out under the following key principles:

Transparency – Involvement of respective schools inthe remedy, including teaching and learning and following up on students’ performance.
Fairness – The highest grade students in this group can achieve will not exceed grade C.
Uversity’s Quality and Reputation – The second chance given to students must be transparent, verifiable, and strictly adhere to academic standards, without compromising the reputation of the university.
Student Willingness – Participation in the remedial program requires students’ own determination and commitment to seize this opportunity for academic success.

Walailak University President Presents Bouquets to Congratulate UKPSF Fellow Certificate Recipients

On March 26, 2025, at the Moklan Room, 3rd floor of Professor Dr. Vijit Srisa-arn Building, Walailak University, Professor Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, President of Walailak University, presided over the ceremony to present flower bouquets to staff members who have brought recognition to the university. University executives, lecturers, and staff attended as witnesses to this important occasion.

One of the main highlights of the ceremony was congratulating lecturers from the School of Languages and General Education who received the UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF) Fellow certificate, an international benchmark for teaching and learning in higher education. The awardees were:

1.Ms. Krisna Rica Osorio Baron

2.Mr. Miguel Lorenzo Borja Garcia

3.Mr. Suthai Ketima

Receiving the UKPSF Fellow certificate is a testament to the recipients’ competence and expertise in teaching according to international standards. It also reflects Walailak University’s strong commitment to developing staff potential to a world-class level, which directly benefits students and strengthens the overall education system of the university.
The School of Languages and General Education gratefully acknowledges the sources of the event photographs.

The School of Languages and General Education gratefully acknowledges the sources of the event photographs. https://www.wu.ac.th/th/news/25328/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJW8zxleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHdQ__ZhW17KevtcA3Z9vrSudW58I9Oh9szz1Tc4QP3xghUZmNaqQdNTizg_aem_jOtlfE6hDXxWciqYGCetiQ

Walailak University Set to Expand Research and Educational Collaboration with Regional Universities in Australia

Walailak University (WU), with the support of the Australian Embassy in Thailand and the Regional Universities Network (RUN) in Australia, is set to expand research and educational collaboration with regional Australian higher education institutions. Beginning with Charles Sturt University, the initiative aims to extend to all seven regional universities under RUN.

An Australian delegation visiting WU from 4 – 6 March 2025 includes Ms. Freya Kaine, Counsellor (Education and Research) for Vietnam and Thailand at the Australian Embassy in Thailand; Ms. Watinee Kharnwong, Director of the Department of Education at the Australian Embassy in Thailand; Mr. Alec Webb, CEO of the Regional Universities Network, Australia; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ivor Stuart, Fisheries Ecologist at the Gulbali Research Institute, Charles Sturt University; and Ms. Chelsea Schlink, Director of Business Development at the Gulbali Research Institute, Charles Sturt University.

Associate Professor Dr. Surin Maisrikrod, Vice President of WU, who presided over the collaboration discussion held yesterday at the Chorpradu Chamber, WU Hospital, highlighted the university’s strong commitment to advancing research and enhancing education quality. As one of Thailand’s 19 Global and Frontier Research Universities, as categorized by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, WU prioritizes research that benefits society while fostering internationalization both “at home” and “abroad” to align with global academic standards.

Vice President Surin emphasized that internationalization is “the only way” forward, underscoring WU’s strategic initiatives, including implementing the internationally recognized United Kingdom Professional Standards Framework for teaching and learning, promoting English as a Medium of Instruction, and facilitating collaborative activities for students and staff with international institutions.

On this occasion, Ms. Freya Kaine, Counsellor at the Australian Embassy in Thailand, expressed her appreciation for WU’s projects that have made meaningful contributions to communities. She highlighted the strong educational ties between Australia and Thailand, stating: “Australia and Thailand have a really strong educational relationship. We are lucky enough to have over 23,000 international students from Thailand in Australia and over 160,000 Australian alumni in Thailand. That shows just how much connection already exists.”

Ms. Kaine also pointed out that Australia and Thailand share common challenges, including fisheries management, climate change, and the advancement of new technologies to support local communities. Additionally, she reaffirmed the Australian government’s commitment to fostering new research collaborations between Australian and Thai regional universities, recognizing Southeast Asia as a key partner.

During the discussion, WU’s schools and colleges proposed various potential collaborations with their Australian counterparts, including the School of Pharmacy for internship opportunities in Australia; Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College for the development of double degree programs and student and staff mobility initiatives; the School of Allied Health Sciences for student exchanges, both inbound and outbound; the School of Nursing for nursing practice opportunities in Australia as well as joint seminars; the School of Management for the development of double degree programs and joint research projects; the School of Education for student mobility programs, joint online activities, and research such as AI in education; the School of Languages and General Education for joint activities such as English edutainment and research in languages and the environment; and, lastly, Walailak University International College for one-semester student exchanges.

Earlier on Wednesday, the WU Center for Academic Services, led by Assistant Professor Dr. Amonsak Sawusdee, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ivor Stuart from Charles Sturt University’s Gulbali Research Institute, shared knowledge on sustainable fisheries, aiming to enhance food security and preserve marine biodiversity. The event brought together over one hundred students, researchers, and staff.

Following this visit, the WU Center for International Affairs will serve as the central hub for connecting WU’s schools and colleges with regional universities in Australia, with continued support from the Australian Embassy and the Regional Universities Network.

Source: Settaboot Onphakdee, Division of Corporate Communication

SOLGEN Exchanges Knowledge and Builds Academic Networks with Dr. Allison Creed from the University of Melbourne, Australia

On February 20, at 1:30 p.m., lecturers from the Thai Language Group, General Education Department, held a meeting with Dr. Allison Creed from the University of Melbourne, Australia, at the Professor Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong Meeting Room. The meeting aimed to exchange ideas and foster academic collaboration, with discussions focusing on teaching and research, particularly in the fields of cognitive linguistics and critical metaphor analysis.

The session was attended by lecturers led by Associate Professor Dr. Surin Maisrikrod, Acting Dean of the School of Languages and General Education, along with Ms. Pawirasa Praditsorn, Acting Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, and members of the Thai Language Group. The academic insights gained from this exchange will be applied and further developed to enhance future scholarly work.

SOLGEN Supports Cultural Diversity with an Exhibition on Arabic Language and Culture

On February 14, 2025, the School of Languages and General Education organized an exhibition on the 1st floor of the ST Building to inspire the learning of language and culture. The event showcased the learning outcomes from the elective course GENF67-001 Arabic Language and Culture, offered in Semester 2/2025. The objective was to encourage students in the course, as well as other Walailak University students, to appreciate and understand cultural diversity, fostering coexistence and mutual respect in society.

The exhibition featured student activity booths highlighting different aspects of Arabic language and culture, including food, clothing, and language, along with topics related to Islamic culture, the predominant religion in the Arab world.

The Arabic Language and Culture course has attracted strong interest from students across multiple schools and will be open for registration again in the next academic year.

Walailak University launched the co-curricular English activities under the theme “Play and Learn: PlearnEnglish.”

On January 31, 2025, Prof.Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, President of Walailak University, presided over the official opening ceremony of the “Play and Learn PlearnEnglish” activity at Lecture Building 6, Walailak University.

The activity was organized by Assoc.Prof.Dr. Surin Maisrikrod, Vice President and Acting Dean of the School of Languages and General Education, together with lecturers and staff of the school. It aims to encourage and develop students’ English skills in a free environment, not limited to only classroom learning.

Today’s highlights included the Storytelling Competition, which allowed students to show their abilities and creativity through telling stories in English. There were also English skill-building activities in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, such as Crossword, Jenga, and role-play of buying ice cream in English.

The “Play and Learn PlearnEnglish” activity is held every Friday from 11:00 a.m. onwards at the activity area of ST Building. Today, more than 300 students and lecturers joined the event. The atmosphere was lively and engaging. The evaluation score was 4.83 out of 5, which is at a very good level, showing the success of promoting effective English learning.

This activity is part of Walailak University’s proactive English learning approach, aiming for students to naturally develop their English skills in daily life and to inspire continuous learning.

The School of Languages and General Education would like to thank the Division of Corporate Communication for the photos.

SOLGEN invites everyone to join the exhibition on Arabic language and culture

The School of Languages and General Education, in the elective course GENF67-001 Arabic Language and Culture, invites everyone to join the exhibition that inspires learning about the Arabic language and culture. The event includes a special lecture on “Arabic Language in the Modern World,” a demonstration of Arabic cooking, and an exhibition about Arabic language and culture from the course. If you are interested, you can join at the Hall, 1st floor, ST Building, Walailak University, from 1:30 p.m. onwards.

In this activity, students presented artworks and organized many kinds of activities, such as art exhibitions in different visual art styles, art activity booths for physical and mental well-being, art media screenings, and art workshops. Each project was designed using Inquiry-Based Learning, starting from questions that came from the students’ interests and developed into topics to create works that were shared with the public.