King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) and Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods) have forged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for academic collaboration, unveiling a novel educational paradigm of “work-integrated learning” through the Co-Creation project. This initiative aims to cultivate engineering students’ STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) proficiencies and entrepreneurial acumen during their academic tenure. The approach is tailored to address the dynamic requirements of the contemporary food industry and to adapt to swiftly evolving technologies.

By integrating theoretical knowledge with practical experience, the program aims to produce well-rounded graduates who are prepared to innovate and contribute to the food industry’s growth. Students will have the opportunity to engage with real-world business scenarios at CP Foods, gaining valuable industry insights and hands-on experience before completing their degrees. 

This partnership between academic institutions and business organizations represents a significant step towards aligning degree education with the practical demands of the modern workplace, particularly in the dynamic field of food technology and production. It aims at “co-creating talent, shaping the future, and building networks” to address industry and labor market needs. The collaboration pilot focuses on engineering in four program areas: Integrated Manufacturing Engineering, IT and Information Systems Engineering, Agro-Industrial Engineering, and Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Engineering. 

CP Foods participates in adding value to engineering graduates with an entrepreneurial mindset. Besides theoretical learning at the university, students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience at CP Foods operations.   

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Komsan Maleesee, President of KMITL, stated that KMITL and CP have been collaborating continuously in education and research. This cooperation bridges the potential of the education sector with the industrial business sector to cultivate well-rounded students capable of developing beneficial innovations for the agriculture and food sectors. It enables students to gain real work experience before graduation, fostering entrepreneurship through the application of knowledge to problem-solving, combined with direct learning from CP Foods experts. This approach equips students with skills to generate innovative ideas and solutions, enhancing their readiness to drive industrial competitiveness in rapidly changing work environments, which serves as a crucial mechanism for sustainable economic growth. 

Prasit Boondoungprasert, CEO of CP Foods, stated that the collaboration with KMITL, a renowned educational institution, is a joint effort to develop human resources and shape the future for the next generation. CP Foods integrates knowledge coupled with practical application and fosters an entrepreneurial mindset. This approach enables new-generation engineers to pursue 21st-century careers with capabilities comparable to international standards, preparing students to seamlessly integrate into the market. The organization anticipates seeing creativity and innovation from this new generation, which will help drive CP Foods’ growth toward becoming a sustainable “Kitchen of the World”.  

“We believe in the new generations’ progressive thinking and technological prowess, which will catalyze changes within our organization. This collaboration provides a platform for students to learn through hands-on experience, honing their STEM skills and technological knowledge to drive growth for the organization. We’re nurturing a new generation of capable professionals who will support Thai society’s and economy’s sustainable development, benefiting all relevant sectors. This approach aligns with the Three-Benefit Philosophy, championed by Senior Chairman Dhanin Chearavanont, which aims to conduct business that benefits the country, its people, and the organization,” Prasit stated.

Additionally, CP Foods has been collaborating with KMITL to enhance students’ capabilities and foster knowledge exchange and innovation between the business and education sectors. This partnership aims to elevate Thailand’s education and research standards, preparing the country for the rapidly evolving trends of the digital era.