The School of Engineering and Technology, Walailak University, welcomed Assoc. Prof. Dr. Karol Sikora and Dr. Mohamad Alrifai from the University of Wollongong in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on the occasion of their research visit to the University’s Center of Excellence in Wood and Biomaterials, scheduled for 5–10 October 2026. The visit provides opportunities to exchange knowledge and discuss future research and academic collaboration with university executives and researchers.
The visit forms part of a research project supported by funding from the United Arab Emirates, focusing on the use of timber in building structures. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Karol Sikora serves as the project leader, with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suthon Srivaro participating as a co-investigator. The visiting researchers are working alongside researchers at the Center of Excellence in Wood and Biomaterials to investigate this topic and share academic expertise across institutions.
During their visit, the researchers met with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Montien Serikit, Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nirundorn Matan, Head of the Center of Excellence in Wood and Biomaterials; and Asst. Prof. Dr. Prachid Saramolee, Head of Petrochemical and Polymer Engineering. Discussions focused on exchanging knowledge, exploring opportunities to extend research activities, and identifying potential areas for academic collaboration in related disciplines.
The meeting provided a platform for university executives and researchers to discuss their academic interests and gain a better understanding of each institution’s research approaches. Connecting expertise across institutions creates a foundation for developing shared research questions and examining topics from different perspectives, including material properties, processing methods, and suitability for engineering applications.
For the School of Engineering and Technology, research on timber for building structures connects engineering knowledge with materials science. Investigating materials for practical use requires an understanding of their properties, behaviour, and limitations, as well as the conditions associated with each application. Exchanges between researchers can broaden these perspectives and support thorough academic discussion.
Beyond the activities undertaken within the research project, the visit offers an opportunity to strengthen international academic networks involving the School’s personnel and the Center of Excellence in Wood and Biomaterials. Working together directly encourages researchers to share experiences, raise questions, and discuss research approaches, helping to build mutual understanding and productive professional relationships.
Discussions with the Dean, the Head of the Center, and the Head of Petrochemical and Polymer Engineering also connected the individual research project with broader opportunities for academic cooperation. These exchanges enabled both sides to consider shared interests and potential areas for further development, taking into account their respective expertise and available resources. Specific forms of future cooperation will be subject to further discussion and mutual consideration.
The School of Engineering and Technology is pleased to welcome the researchers from the University of Wollongong in Dubai and support an environment of academic exchange. Their visit highlights the connections between research at Walailak University and international academic networks, while providing a foundation for further knowledge development in wood, biomaterials, and related engineering disciplines through collaboration between researchers from both institutions.
