KKUIC SIGNS MOU WITH MARRIOTT TO EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATION IN NORTHEAST THAILAND

September 9, 2023
1:58 pm

Bangkok, Thailand – September 2023 – Marriott International has announced the signing of an important Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Khon Kaen University International College (KKUIC) to develop educational programs, sustainability projects and internships that will empower the next generation of hospitality professionals in Northeast Thailand.

Penned at a ceremony at Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 on 23rd August 2023, this MoU will initially see 46 Marriott properties in Thailand* work with KKUIC to advance hospitality education and create opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in world-class hotels and resorts.

The signing ceremony was attended by senior delegates from both organizations, including Tina Liu, General Manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok and Chair of the Marriott Thailand Business Council, Apichat Kumpun, Marriott’s HR Services & Market Talent Acquisition Manager for Thailand, and Nachon Obyam, Director of Human Resources at Sukhumvit Park, Bangkok – Marriott Executive Apartments, alongside Asst. Prof. Sirimonbhorn Thipsingh, Dean of KKUIC, Asst. Prof. Dr. Chavis Ketkaew, Associate Dean for Strategy, Research & International Affairs, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Phaninee Naruetharadhol, Director of KKUIC’s Sustainable Innovation for Society Center.

Under the terms of the alliance, Marriott will work alongside KKUIC to jointly develop educational programs and sustainability projects that will have real-world benefits. Students will also have the opportunity to gain practical experience in a range of departments at participating Marriott hotels and resorts across Thailand, including front office, food & beverage, housekeeping and more.

Being guided by Marriott will give the students an important head start in their professional lives. As one of the world’s largest hotel groups with more than 8,600 properties worldwide under 31 leading brands, graduates have a global network of potential career paths ahead of them, made even more accessible by gaining practical experience with Marriott.

This arrangement will not only benefit the students, however; it will also have a positive impact on Thailand’s entire hospitality sector at a critical time. With almost 2.4 million new hotel rooms currently in the pipeline worldwide¹, it is vital that hotel groups attract young people to find their vocation in the industry. The first collaboration of its kind between Marriott and a university in Northeast Thailand, this alliance has the potential to tap into a large talent pool and develop high quality professionals for many years to come.

“We are delighted to announce our partnership with Khon Kaen University International College. At Marriott, we firmly believe in prioritizing people and cultivating a culture that fosters diversity, equity and inclusion. This partnership with KKUIC aligns perfectly with our core values and objectives. We are committed to providing opportunities and establishing a supportive community that embraces these principles,” said Tina Liu, General Manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok and Chair of the Marriott Thailand Business Council.

“It is an honor to represent KKUIC at the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding. We take immense pride in our commitment to delivering high-quality education and preparing our students for success in both global citizenship and the international workforce. The partnership we are creating today with Marriott Thailand is a significant milestone for us. We firmly believe that this collaboration will be mutually beneficial and that it aligns perfectly with our shared mission: to equip our students with the tools they need to thrive in the global community,” commented Asst. Prof. Sirimonbhorn Thipsingh, Dean of KKUIC.

Marriott properties participating in the MoU with KKUIC include: