News

Walailak University's Center for International Affairs (CIA) hosted a delegation from James Cook University (JCU), Australia, on Friday afternoon (3 July 2026) for a session on international exchange, scholarships and mobility opportunities — the capstone of a two-week visit that had already taken a group of JCU students from the classrooms of Nakhon Si Thammarat to the coastline of Krabi.

The session, "Exploring Global Opportunities with James Cook University Australia," was held at the Khao Luang Chamber, Cooperative Education Building, and was attended both in person and online via Zoom. The participants included students as well as staff representing several of WU's schools and faculties responsible for internationalization.

Among those present were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Surin Maisrikrod, WU's Vice President for Educational Development and Corporate Communications, and Dr. Nigel Chang, an archaeology academic at JCU who has worked with Walailak University for several years to build the partnership between the two institutions. Dr. Nigel was accompanied by seven JCU students who had just completed their two-week immersion program at Walailak University.

 

 

The keynote address was delivered by Ms. Sarah Anderton, JCU's Senior International Partnerships Advisor (NCP–ILO), who described the visit as "a real honour and privilege" made possible by years of groundwork from Dr. Nigel and Dr. Surin.

Ms. Sarah outlined three main funding streams available to students at both universities:

• The New Colombo Plan (NCP) — the Australian Government's signature initiative to build knowledge of the Indo-Pacific among Australian undergraduates. 
• DACKEP (the Destination Australia Cheung Kong Exchange Program) — a joint funding initiative of the Australian Government and the Cheung Kong Group that supports short-term reciprocal exchange between Australian and Asian universities, including Thailand. 
• Australian Awards — longer-term, fully funded scholarships from the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for students from partner countries, including Thailand, to undertake full-time study in Australia.

The two-week visit also gave JCU's students a hands-on introduction to the South of Thailand. From 26 to 28 June, the group joined faculty and students from WU's School of Management — through its Digital Marketing and Branding program — for a three-day field study in Krabi province centred on community-based and sustainable tourism. 



The School of Management took students kayaking along Khlong Rood, known locally for its clear water, to observe the health of the local ecosystem, and to the Andaman Bead Museum to learn about the ancient trade history of the southern peninsula. At the Ban Na Teen community, students made khanom thum phlong and other traditional sweets, learning firsthand how the community turns cultural heritage into income. 

The group also studied environmentally friendly hotel management at Aonang Princeville Villa Resort & Spa. The Krabi leg closed with visits to the Wat Khlong Thom Museum and the nearby Khuan Luk Pat (Bead Mound) archaeological site, both of which speak to Krabi's history as an international trading hub. 

The rest of the visit focused on archaeology near Walailak's campus, including a visit to the Khao Ka site in Sichon district and the Tumpang Archaeological site at Walailak University.

 

 

For Mr. Jarrah Eswaran, a second-year JCU Bachelor of Education student on the trip who is training to become an English and history teacher, the sites underscored "how diverse Thailand truly is," shaped by centuries of trade with Sri Lanka, India and the Arab world.

Mr. Jarrah, who joined the trip on a DACKEP grant after studying under Dr. Nigel the previous year, encouraged fellow students not to overlook funded opportunities like his.

"As the world becomes more globalized, I think we as youth have a responsibility to learn more about the world and not live in a silo," Mr. Jarrah said, adding that even a short trip abroad can "really expand your perspective."

The floor discussion touched on several areas of possible future collaboration, such as a double-degree arrangement between the two universities and reciprocal nursing and medicine placements with Walailak-affiliated hospitals.

Students interested in exchange, mobility grants, or scholarship opportunities with James Cook University can contact Walailak University's Center for International Affairs for further information.

 

 

Photos courtesy of School of Management and Division of Corporate Communications, Walailak University
Wrtten by Settaboot Onphakdee, Division of Corporate Communications