- Chulalongkorn University signs an MoU with five major corporations Bangkok Bank, SCG, Indorama Ventures, Banpu, and True Corporation to advance the Chula Leaders for Global Operations (Chula LGO) programme.
- Developed in collaboration with MIT LGO, the dual-degree programme aims to train future leaders who can drive Thailand’s industrial transformation toward innovation and sustainability.
- Corporate partners will provide governance, industry training, scholarships, and real-world projects, strengthening Thailand’s global competitiveness and transitioning toward Education 5.0.
Chulalongkorn University has made a significant stride in further reinforcing the Thai higher education landscape through the signing of an MOU with five leading corporations-Bangkok Bank, SCG, Indorama Ventures, Banpu, and True Corporation-to drive the Chula Leaders for Global Operations (Chula LGO) forward. Developed in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Leaders for Global Operations, also known as MIT LGO, this program was created in response to the need to develop a new generation of leaders who can drive industrial transformation toward an innovation-driven economy that is sustainable. The applications remain open until 28 February 2026.
According to Prof. Dr Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, this is the first time that the Business School MBA programme and Faculty of Engineering have partnered with MIT LGO at the university. He explained that Chula LGO strives to build a community of visionary thinkers who can merge engineering excellence, operational expertise and business strategy in solving global issues.
Chula LGO is a dual-degree structure, combining the Master of Science in Innovative Engineering for Sustainability, an MBA, and the MIT-LGO Certificate, to provide world-class training that meets the international standard. For Thailand, Prof. Wilert said that the programme serves as an essential mechanism for enhancing competitiveness and providing a path to long-term industrial and economic stability.
Bangkok Bank President Chartsiri Sophonpanich said a good education is the fundamental key to national development. He said the collaboration will help shape business leaders who can innovate and strengthen Thailand's position on the global stage. With rapid change characterizing the modern world, he emphasized the need for leaders to be able to anticipate challenges and harness new opportunities. Bangkok Bank involvement ranges from serving on the governing board of the program to providing practical work experience.
Indorama Ventures' CEO, Aloke Lohia, emphasized that the company is committed to developing talent for the future. He added that six months of training within Indorama under the program would introduce students to global operations in AI, digital systems, advanced manufacturing, and sustainability. Graduates can also be inducted into the company, thus helping to fortify Thai leadership in international businesses. Lohia illustrated the power of 'Thainess'-a cultural empathy with the ability for adaptation-as a differentiator in global leadership.
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Banpu Academy Vice President Sundaram Iyer said the company's role as strategic partner reflects its long-term commitment to shaping high-calibre graduates. Banpu has collaborated on innovation-focused programs with Chulalongkorn and continues to support curriculum development to ensure students are industry-ready from day one. He called Chula LGO a platform with the capability to create sustainable impacts across the Asia-Pacific region.
SCG President and CEO Thammasak Sethaudom called the programme a golden opportunity that brings MIT-level standards to Thailand at a far lower cost than studying abroad. He noted its balance of theory and action-based learning, which allows students to apply concepts directly within SCG's diverse businesses. He stressed that strong communication, curiosity, and lifelong learning are the qualities that will define future leaders.
According to True Corporation CEO Sigve Brekke, the partnership allows industry and academia to co-create high-impact solutions, especially in AI and digital transformation. True is supporting the programme through fellowships, scholarships, and real-world exposure across core technologies. He called on more companies to provide access to innovation labs, internships, operational data, and capstone projects that will better equip students for Thailand's transition toward Education 5.0, where analytical thinking, creativity, and experiential learning take center stage.
