Before the pandemic, the Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) School of Business and Governance (SBG) initiated talks of possible collaboration with the Panyapiwat Institute of Management and Dhurakij Pundit University in Thailand.
This effort was later sealed with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by Fr. Joel E. Tabora, SJ, and the two higher education institutions separately. To strengthen the partnership, SBG Dean Dr. Jenner Y. Chan and SBG professors Dr. Divina V. Sabanal of the Management Program, Prof. Donna Vida M. Abrina and Dr. Rodilina B. Marte of the Marketing Program, together with Prof. Agustin G. Ismael Jr., visited the two (2) universities, for faculty immersion, lecture, and exploration of student internship, faculty and student exchange, and research collaboration.
Panyapiwat Institute of Management (PIM) is Thailand’s first and largest corporate university, located in Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi, north of Bangkok. It was founded in 2007 by CP All, the retail arm of the Thai conglomerate CP Group and the country’s operator of 7-Eleven convenience stores. Its educational model provides students with both academic and professional training, including a corporate internship in CP All stores, to earn a degree.
Dhurakij Pundit University (DPU), located in Lak Si, Bangkok, means University of Business Knowledge in English. It was founded in 1968 as a college and attained university status in 1984. Academic programs are mostly offered in Thai, while international students attend international business in the English language.
Faculty Immersion at CP All in Panyapiwat Institute of Management (PIM)
At the Panyapiwat Institute of Management (PIM), faculty immersion was a worthwhile experience for the ADDU delegates. There were two (2) activities prepared for them by PIM. One is the academic-related activity, where the ADDU faculty had the opportunity to experience their students’ innovative plant-based food product showcase, and the retail operations experience in CP-All Building, which houses the CP-All headquarters’ offices and also the largest and most luxurious 7-Eleven store in the world.
For the two-day immersion and lecture, PIM administrators who welcomed the group included: Dr. Usanee Kulintornprasert, International Relations Director; Assistant Professor Dr. Sunida Piriyapada, International College Head of Program; Ms. Panisara Termkijkajonsuk, International Relations Assistant Director; and Ms. Thantarat Phongthong, International Relations Senior Officer.
Assistant Professor Paul Kalin, a lecturer from the Faculty of Food Business Management, provided the orientation about the plant-based food creation activity of his students. The students of winning entries are provided funding by external partners to launch their product in the market.
The second part of the immersion was in the Waterfalls Building housing the CP-All Headquarters. CP All Public Company Limited was established in 1988 by the Charoen Pokphand Group to operate convenience store businesses in Thailand under the 7-Eleven trademark. The company was granted a license to use the trademark by 7-Eleven, Inc., USA. The faculty was introduced to the most luxurious 7-Eleven outlet in the world. PIM students take their internship duty here while completing their academic requirements for their degree.
The ADDU faculty members explored the 7-Eleven on the ground floor before proceeding to the retail store on the 2nd floor. The faculty immersion was supervised by Ms. Nirada Jutagasut, CP All Deputy Department Manager.
The retail store showcases all their non-perishable overstocked inventory and sells at a big discount, up to 50%. The ADDU faculty examined the merchandise display, stock management, layout, and ambiance. Their primary target customers are internal customers, students, and guests.
Faculty Lecture at Panyapiwat Institute of Management
The ADDU professors, Dr. Marte, Dr. Sabanal, and Prof. Abrina, conducted a lecture on their respective topics related to Business Communication in Readiness for Work, Entrepreneurship, and Creativity in Business. It was a new experience for them as their audience was mostly Thai students, with about ten (10) foreign students from Cambodia. Dr. Marte introduced to the students the ten (10) entrepreneurial competencies. Dr. Sabanal discussed the importance of business communication and provided tips on how to conduct and manage formal meetings. Prof. Abrina challenged the students to examine their understanding of creativity.
Meeting with Administrators of Dhurakij Pundit University in Lak Si, Bangkok
The ADDU faculty was welcomed by Dr. Paitaya Meesat, Director of International Education and Graduate Studies. After a quick campus tour, the group met with Asst. Prof. Dr. Siridech Kumsuprom, Assistant Vice President for Strategic Alliances and discussed definitive collaboration engagements in faculty exchange, student exchange, and research. The meeting was productive as both agreed to pursue a Memorandum of Agreement to take effect as soon as possible.
SookSiam Visit in Icon Siam
On the second day of the DPU engagement, the ADDU faculty visited ‘SookSiam’ on the ground floor of the iConSiam. The largest shopping center and mall in Thailand dedicated its ground floor to present to local and foreign tourists ‘a co-creation retail concept that features more than 3,000 small enterprise owners, artisans, artists, and performers from Thailand’s 77 provinces. “This is a complete showcase of the four main geographic regions of the country, their arts, handicrafts, performing arts, and local wisdom” (JITPLEECHEEP, 2018).
Article and Photos by the School of Business and Governance (Dr. Rodilina B. Marte and Prof. Donna Vida M. Abrina)