Walailak University Welcomes Nakhon Sawan Rajabhat University to Exchange Experiences and Explore Its Successful Eight-Month Cooperative Education Model
On 12 May 2026, Assistant Professor Dr. Phadungsak Suksa-Ard, Vice President for Cooperative Education and Central Administration, Walailak University, together with Dr. Attanan Tachopisalwong, Director of the Center for Cooperative Education and Career Development; Dr. Kornthima Pattanasin, Assistant Dean for Public Relations and Academic Development, School of Law; and University staff, welcomed a seven-member delegation from the Law Program, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nakhon Sawan Rajabhat University.
Led by Assistant Professor Dr. Thitichaya Kongchu, Head of the Law Program, the delegation visited Walailak University to learn about and exchange experiences in cooperative education and Cooperative and Work-Integrated Education (CWIE). The visit was held at the Khao Luang Meeting Room on the second floor of the Cooperative Education Building, Walailak University.
Assistant Professor Dr. Phadungsak delivered a presentation entitled “Walailak University’s Cooperative Education Policy.” He explained that Walailak University was the second university in Thailand to adopt the cooperative education system. Its foundation was laid by the University’s founding president, Professor Dr. Wichit Srisa-an, widely recognized as the “Father of Thai Cooperative Education.”
Although Walailak University has been established for only 34 years and is located outside a major metropolitan area, it has consistently sought ways to strengthen the competitiveness and employability of the students. Cooperative education enables students to apply their academic knowledge, develop practical experience, and demonstrate their potential in real workplaces.
Under the leadership of the current President, Professor Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, the University has further strengthened its cooperative education system through two major changes: transitioning from a trimester to a semester system and introducing eight consecutive months of cooperative education. These changes aim to produce graduates who are academically proficient, highly skilled in practice, and ready to enter the workforce immediately after graduation.
Assistant Professor Dr. Phadungsak emphasized that Walailak University is recognized as one of Thailand’s leading institutions in cooperative education and has served as a mentor to numerous higher education institutions, particularly those in the upper southern region. He noted that study visits provide valuable opportunities for institutions to learn from one another and encouraged the visiting lecturers to exchange ideas and raise questions throughout the program. He also highlighted the importance of clearly communicating students’ distinctive strengths and demonstrating how their knowledge and skills can contribute to partner organizations.
Dr. Attanan subsequently delivered a presentation entitled “The Implementation of Cooperative Education and Cooperative and Work-Integrated Education (CWIE).” He shared practical concepts and operational approaches, including curriculum co-design between universities and partner organizations, as well as effective job-matching mechanisms.
Dr. Kornthima also shared experiences from implementing cooperative education for students in the School of Law, providing practical insights into the integration of cooperative education within a law curriculum. The visiting delegation further exchanged knowledge on cooperative education processes and support systems, covering student preparation, faculty supervision, and performance assessment.
The Law Program, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nakhon Sawan Rajabhat University, intends to apply the knowledge gained from the visit to curriculum development and to enhance graduate competencies in response to the demands of the modern labor market.
As Walailak University is recognized as a national leader in cooperative education, the exchange with this model institution provided the delegation with valuable concepts and good practices in operational management, partnership and network development, and the advancement of cooperative education at both university and school levels. Nakhon Sawan Rajabhat University will use Walailak University’s successful model as a reference for improving its curriculum and teaching practices and further advancing its cooperative education and CWIE operations.
