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Walailak University holds the record for the most HEA Fellowships in Thailand, according to a recent report on Friday. The university has 700 faculty members certified by Advance Higher Education (Advance HE), formerly known as the Higher Education Academy (HEA), based on the United Kingdom Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF)—the highest number among Thai institutions.

“The UKPSF has been adopted in over 27 countries, and Walailak University has incorporated it into our teaching and learning practices,” said Professor Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, President. “One hundred percent of our lecturers are required to complete the Pre-UKPSF training and apply for fellowships. Currently, the university holds the highest number of HEA Fellowships in the nation, with over ninety percent of our lecturers certified.”

In 2018, Walailak University launched a teaching and learning reform to enhance the quality of its education. As part of this reform, the university adopted the UKPSF to shift from traditional lecture-based methods to active learning, focusing on student-centered approaches and the development of critical, analytical, and synthetic skills.

As a result, the university has seen a continual decrease in student dropout rates, finally reaching zero percent. Large classrooms, which accommodated hundreds of students, have been replaced with 150 smaller “smart classrooms” that facilitate better interaction between teachers and students. This change has also led to increased student satisfaction with teaching and learning, as reflected in their evaluations of instructors.

“The UKPSF is globally recognized and widely regarded as a leading teaching framework. Our faculty members apply for fellowships with Advance HE,” Associate Professor Dr. Surin Maisrikrod, Vice President, said. “When they become fellows, it certifies them as professional teachers, meaning their knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values are aligned with global standards,” he added.

As a Global and Frontier Research University categorized by Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, 32-year-old Walailak University has achieved several milestones that reflect its commitment to quality education. This year, the university is ranked joint sixth in Thailand and the 1201-1500 band among world universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. It is also ranked first in the nation in Arts and Humanities, according to the Scimago Institutions Rankings 2024.