A thriving community development initiative embraces diversity and respects the unique strengths and assets of each individual and group within the community. These reasons led Universitas Airlangga and WUACD to conduct collaborative partnerships between global universities to create innovative solutions and drive positive change. This year, Universitas Airlangga initiated an international community development program in several Southeast Asian locations, with one of the collaborations being a partnership with Prince of Songkla University in Hat Yai, Thailand. The program was held at Prince of Songkla University from 23rd April 2024 – 27th April 2023, with participation from students and lecturers from Universitas Airlangga, Prince of Songkla University, and Taksin University.

The community development program in Hat Yai was meant to broaden the experience and knowledge of the students on the main topics covering health science and tourism, assisted by each of the experts from Universitas Airlangga and Prince Songkla University. On this occasion, students can gain knowledge and new experiences of the main topics from lecturers and also from local communities covering communities of Songkla Lake Sea Bass, Organic Farming, Songkla Mini Mango, Herbal Products, Growth Mindset, and Ko Yor Weaving, contributing to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

This program provides students with practical experience and knowledge by organizing various activities such as excursions, lecturing, and visiting activities to the communities in Thailand to support their research observation, during which lecturers had the chance to share their expertise with students from three universities: Universitas Airlangga, Prince of Songkla University, and Taksin University, while also learning from the community.

The WUACD International Community Development in Prince of Songkhla University garnered interest and participation from 22 students and lecturers hailing from varied backgrounds and faculties in Universitas Airlangga, such as Faculty of Law, Faculty of Social Science, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Public Health, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science and Technology, Faculty of Advance Technology and Multidisciplinary, Faculty of Economy, Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and Faculty of Psychology. Throughout the program, participants are divided into three groups encompassing community development based on tourism and health science.