CP Foods and Walailak University Join Forces to Enhance Talent Development, Equipping Future Leaders for the Food Industry
Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods) has teamed up with Walailak University, situated in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, to offer students unique educational and upskilling opportunities aligned with the company’s strategic vision for human development. The collaboration will initially introduce pilot programs in two majors under the School of Agricultural Technology and Food Industry: ‘Agriculture and Innovation’ and ‘Food Science and Innovation.
This initiative, developed under the Co-Creation Program, elevates the educational experience by integrating practical knowledge and real-world expertise from the business sector. The collaboratively designed curricula are tailored to enrich students’ education with hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) knowledge, thereby ensuring students are well-prepared and market-ready for careers in the agricultural and food industry.
Prof. Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, Acting President of Walailak University, emphasized the university’s commitment to adapt to the rapidly changing global landscape, particularly in keeping pace with technological advancements. He recognized CP Foods’ crucial role in this collaborative effort, expected to significantly contribute to sustainable national development and the enhancement of human resource capabilities in the dynamic food industry.
The partnership aims to expand its reach to include diverse fields such as electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, and artificial intelligence, in response to the evolving needs of the industrial sector.
Prasit Boondoungprasert, CEO of CP Foods, highlighted the company’s global strategy, encompassing an integrated agro-industrial and food business in 17 countries, which is aligned with the CP Group’s 3-benefits principle—prioritizing the country, its people, and then the company. The partnership with Walailak University is a strategic move to enhance educational and research standards, integrating academic knowledge with real-world business acumen. This collaboration aims to equip university students with the necessary skills and insights, preparing them effectively for the demands of the present and future workforce.
This collaborative effort is an expansion of the Co-Creation Program, emphasizing the importance of integrating academic learning with practical industry experience. The focus is on Work-Based Learning (WBL) across essential STEM fields: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, bringing together university academics, CP Foods staff, and experts across various business sectors.
Building on a history of collaborative endeavors to enhance educational excellence, this partnership includes initiatives like the development of a demonstration farm for modern animal production. These projects align academic studies with practical, technologically advanced applications, benefiting students, farmers, and local communities alike.
