THA SALA, THAILAND, 10 October 2023 – Universiti Sains Malaysia School of Distance Education (SDE) and Walailak University (WU), Thailand are exploring future collaboration towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) together by joining the USM - WU Mobility Programme on SDGs Collaborative Actions for a Sustainable Tomorrow.

This programme aims to establish a diverse platform of sustainability engagement and knowledge exchange for WU and USM.

The 5-day programme consists of various exposure for staff and students in exploring biodiversity in WU in relating to SDG.

The USM delegate is lead by SDE Deputy Dean of Research, Innovation and Industry-Community Engagement, Chm. Ts. Dr. Sumiyyah Sabar. Among others are Deputy Dean, Academic, Career and International, Dr. Hazrul Abdul Hamid, academic staff, administrative staff and 12 undergraduates and postgraduates.

The delegates also had the oppurtunity to meet the President of WU, Prof. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong amidst his busy schedule.

According to the President, they are looking forward to the collaboration, meant to benefit the researchers as well as the undergraduate and postgraduate students.

SDE USM in collaboration with International Mobility and Collaboration Centre (IMCC) organised the event and the activities include visit to Bota Sky tower, Bota Cactus Dome, Botanical Park, and also a visit to a community project at a fishing village.

Beside the visit, the students and staff also attended a talk on sustainability by USM and WU lecturers.

For the record, WU campus is located in southern Thailand and has 800 academic staff and about 12,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Currently the university is ranked 1201+ in the World University Rankings and 6th in Thailand.

Text: Nor Rafizah Md Zain/Photo: Nazira Zainal Abidin