In Memory of a Visionary: Honoring Professor Dr. Wichit Srisa-an

"In a solemn ceremony enveloped by the respectful silence of the auditorium at Thaiburi Building, Walailak University, a congregation led by Acting Dean Dr. Supaporn Yimtieng and staff of the School of Public Health gathered on the afternoon of October 4th, 2023, to pay tribute to a luminary — Professor Dr. Wichit Srisa-an, the esteemed founder of Walailak University and former President of its University Council. The legacy of Professor Dr. Wichit Srisa-an stretches back to the university’s inception on March 29th, 1992. His founding vision was more than an academic endeavor; it was a historic milestone in the annals of Thai higher education. His blueprint for Walailak University was audacious and transformative: a state-supervised institution unique in its independence from both the civil service and state enterprise sectors. It was envisioned as a comprehensive university, fostering an environment akin to a residential university town dedicated to community integration. This fourfold mission encompassed teaching, research, academic service, and cultural preservation and enrichment. Under his stewardship, Walailak University emerged as the second state-supervised university in Thailand, following Suranaree University of Technology and preceding Mae Fah Luang University. Professor Dr. Wichit's impact on Thai education is indelible, having extended educational opportunities to the regions and rural areas, democratizing access and nurturing a legacy of community-focused academia. As the Walailak University community stands in homage, it’s a moment that transcends the here and now, reaching into the heart of a vision that shaped the future."