On 20 July 2026, Walailak University, through its Digital Innovation Center, organized the training program “AI Skills for Higher Education Administration in the Age of AI” to enhance AI competencies among senior and middle-level executives. The program aims to equip university leaders with practical AI knowledge and skills to support policy decision-making, strategic planning, and organizational development toward becoming a sustainable Digital University.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Professor Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, President of Walailak University, who emphasized the growing importance of Artificial Intelligence in the digital era. He stated that AI serves as a powerful tool for rapidly accessing and synthesizing the vast body of global knowledge, enabling administrators and staff to obtain information more efficiently. However, he stressed that AI-generated content should not be adopted without critical thinking. Instead, AI should serve as a starting point for analysis, innovation, and informed decision-making.
Professor Dr. Sombat further highlighted the university’s commitment to enhancing educational quality by integrating AI into curriculum development. AI is now utilized to support curriculum review and improvement, while every academic program is being encouraged to incorporate AI-related learning to ensure graduates possess essential digital competencies and responsible AI literacy.
He also encouraged faculty members to guide students in using AI ethically and critically. Rather than copying AI-generated answers directly, students should employ AI as a learning companion to explore new knowledge, broaden perspectives, and develop analytical and creative thinking skills that lead to innovation.
The training was attended by 65 university executives, including the President, Vice Presidents, Assistant Presidents, Deans, Directors of Centers, Institutes, Parks, Schools, and Heads of Administrative Units. The event was held at Phattharathammaphorn Conference Room, Building C, 9th Floor, Walailak University Medical Center Hospital.
Assistant Professor Dr. Nichanan Kittipattanabovorn, Assistant President for Data and Digital Innovation, explained that AI has become a transformative force across organizations worldwide, particularly in higher education. The program was therefore designed to strengthen executives’ AI knowledge and practical skills in organizational management, data analytics, communication, and strategic planning while promoting awareness of AI ethics, governance, and cybersecurity.
The two-day training program, held on 20–21 July 2026, featured Dr. Sookyuen Thepthong, an AI Transformation expert, as the keynote trainer. The program combined lectures, live demonstrations, and hands-on workshops using Generative AI tools, enabling participants to apply AI effectively in executive decision-making and organizational management.
Walailak University continues to advance its Digital University vision through comprehensive digital transformation initiatives. These include enterprise information systems, AI-enabled administration, the Human Resource Management System (HRMS), the Performance Based Planning (PBP) system for strategic performance monitoring, a Security Operations Center (SOC) for cybersecurity protection, and continuous digital and AI capacity-building programs for university personnel. These initiatives reinforce Walailak University’s commitment to becoming a modern, efficient, secure, and future-ready university in the age of Artificial Intelligence.
Information provided by: Walailak University, July 2026