King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) and Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods) have established a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate academically, introducing a new educational approach known as "work-integrated learning" through the Co-Creation project. This initiative aims to develop engineering students’ STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) skills and entrepreneurial mindset throughout their academic journey. It is designed to meet the evolving needs of the modern food industry and adapt to rapidly advancing technologies.
Through the integration of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, the program aims to nurture graduates who are equipped to innovate and contribute to the growth of the food industry. Students will actively participate in real-world business scenarios at CP Foods, gaining invaluable industry insights and hands-on experience prior to graduation.
This partnership between academic institutions and business organizations marks a significant stride towards aligning higher education with the practical demands of the modern workplace, particularly in the dynamic realm of food technology and production. It aims to "co-create talent, shape the future, and build networks" to meet industry and labor market requirements. The collaborative initiative focuses on engineering across four key program areas: Integrated Manufacturing Engineering, IT and Information Systems Engineering, Agro-Industrial Engineering, and Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Engineering. CP Foods plays a crucial role in enhancing engineering graduates with an entrepreneurial mindset. In addition to theoretical education at the university, students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through involvement in 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.
