International Awards

Walailak University has once again demonstrated its excellence in contributing to society and the economy, and advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The university has been named a finalist among the top 8 universities in the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) Awards Asia 2025, often referred to as “the Oscars of Higher Education,” in the category of Outstanding Contribution to Regional Development.

Renowned globally for its rigorous university rankings, THE also highlights exceptional achievements beyond metrics through the THE Awards Asia. This platform celebrates outstanding accomplishments by higher education institutions across Asia.
 
This year’s awards span 10 categories, including Leadership and Management Team of the Year, Research Project of the Year in STEM, and Teaching and Learning Strategy of the Year. Notably, Walailak University’s Restoration of Blue Swimming Crab (BSC) Population Project, which promotes sustainable fishery practices and tackles the problem of marine resource depletion, has been selected as one of the top 8 finalists in Asia. It stood out among more than 500 impactful projects, each making profound contributions to society, culture, and the economy in the region.  

Assistant Professor Dr. Amornsak Sawusdee, Director of the Center for Academic Services at Walailak University and Head of the Restoration of BSC Population Project, emphasized the project’s far-reaching impact, saying:  “This recognition underscores Walailak University’s commitment to fostering community resilience and sustainable development. The project has become a model for sustainable practices, addressing both environmental conservation and community empowerment. Previously, fishers captured less than 5 kilograms of crabs per boat per day. Today, this figure has increased to 15 kilograms per boat per day. Moreover, fishers’ incomes have risen from 160,000 Baht per boat per year to 337,500 Baht per boat per year.”  

Based in Thailand's Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani provinces, the BSC Bank serves as a hub for rejuvenating crab populations. Egg-bearing female crabs caught by fishers are placed in controlled rearing conditions, where they are allowed to spawn before the larvae and juvenile crabs are released back into the sea. Since its launch in 2017, the project has elevated the BSC fishery standard, as rated by the Marine Resources Evaluation Group, from C-level to A-level by 2018, a rating it has maintained to this day. This success has helped Thailand avoid trade barriers, expand export markets for BSC products valued at over 1.5 billion Baht, and boost crab populations significantly.  

Additionally, inspired by the project, local fishers have initiated efforts to prevent coastal pollution, restore fish habitats, and conserve mangroves and seagrass. The project also aligns with SDG 14: Life Below Water, which emphasizes the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.

As a finalist in the THE Awards Asia 2025, Walailak University reaffirms its commitment to driving meaningful change both regionally and globally. The winners will be announced on April 22, 2025, during the THE Asia Universities Summit at Macau University of Science and Technology. Attendees will not only discover the winners of the 10 award categories but also learn which institution has topped the 2025 THE Asia University Rankings.