SITE Thailand has also entered into Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with five universities and academic clusters around Thailand, building MICE educational opportunities throughout the destination.
SITE Thailand, a national chapter of the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE), is enhancing its MICE thought leadership credentials throughout Southeast Asia. It wishes to prioritise collaborative academe and developing talent so the industry's next generation workforce are equipped with world-relevant competencies and skills.
The five MoUs, signed in the past year in the North, Northeast, Central, and Eastern parts of the country, facilitate academic-industry integration through collaborative curriculum development, research, student involvement and experiential learning opportunities.
The first MoU was signed in March 2024 with Chiang Mai University, followed by two others in October with Nakhon Ratchasima Convention Exhibition Center and CEMBEI, the Centre of Excellence for MICE and Business Events Industry at Khon Kaen University. The last two MoUs were concluded this year. They comprise a deal with the Central MICE Academic Cluster and the Center of MICE and Event Education and Innovation at Silpakorn University's Faculty of Management Science, signed in March, and an MoU with the Eastern MICE Academic Cluster and Burapha University, concluded in January.
SITE Thailand president Paula (Punnaporn) Wongjunpen, also CEO of Paula & Co DMC Thailand, stated: "People are the heart of MICE. These MoUs reflect our investment in the next generation that they're not only well-educated but connected globally and industry-ready."
SITE Thailand further indicated that with such partnerships, it will continue to be at the forefront of educational innovation and create international opportunities for Thai students and MICE professionals. Collaborative initiatives, such as guest lectures, workshops, student programmes and industry research, will be implemented across 2025.
