TCEB joins hand with Hong Kong PolyU on international MICE academic exchange programme

Hong Kong / 19 May 2016 – The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization), or TCEB, and the School of Hotel & Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding under the Academic Exchange Programme (AEP) project, as part of TCEB’s plans to expand MICE education networks internationally. TCEB also leads representatives from eight Thai educational institutes to join the 2nd Global Tourism & Hospitality Conference and 15th Asia Pacific Forum for Graduate Students Research in Tourism (Hong Kong 2016).

Mr. Nopparat Maythaveekulchai, TCEB President said, “In 2016, TCEB aims to focus on five major projects which include: the MICE curriculum development project for Thai educational institutes or MICE 101; Coach and Coaches Programme; Academic Exchange Programme; MICE Academic Cluster Development; and MICE Academy and Career Day.

The signing of this MOU forms part of the Academic Exchange Programme (AEP) that will lead to the first official cooperation between TCEB and the Hong Kong PolyU - one of Asia’s most well-known MICE educational institutes - on the exchange of knowledge, researches and educational personnel between Thailand and Hong Kong. The collaborations aim at helping to enhance MICE knowledge among new-generation MICE personnel in Thailand to be on par with international standard by focusing on MICE educational activities such as executive education internship and consultancy.”

TCEB has also facilitated MICE academic personnel from educational institutes under the Academic Exchange Programme (AEP) to join its activities at the IMEX 2016 in the Federal Republic of Germany, which was held from 19-21 April, and the 2nd Global Tourism & Hospitality Conference 2016 from 16-18 May in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. The activities are held to support and promote the exchange of academic knowledge with the universities in both countries.

For the participation in the 2nd Global Tourism & Hospitality Conference 2016, TCEB has led representatives from eight Thai educational institutes to join activities with leading educational institutes of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, including the meeting on industry studies and researches with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and attending the MICE research paper presentation during the 2nd Global Tourism & Hospitality Conference and 15th Asia Pacific Forum for Graduate Students Research in Tourism (Hong Kong 2016), organised by the School of Hotel & Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). They also witness the MOU signing ceremony for the Academic Exchange Programme (AEP) between TCEB and Hong Kong PolyU.

Mr. Nopparat added that, “We hope that our cooperation with Hong Kong PolyU for activities under the AEP project will address the need in MICE personnel development and prepare newly-graduates ready to work efficiently in Thailand’s MICE industry.

“At present, TCEB has received cooperation from 57 educational institutes and 30 vocational colleges across Thailand on applying international MICE curriculum into the teaching and training programmes for their students. In addition, TCEB has also partnered with 41 MICE educational institutes in seven countries, including Australia, the People’s Republic of China, Japan, South Korea, Germany, Taiwan, and the United States for the academic exchange activities.

“In the future, we plan to expand our educational networks with more foreign countries, especially in Southeast Asian region in line with the ASEAN Economic Community. All the activities are being planned to get Thailand ready as a regional center for MICE education in ASEAN. In addition, we plan to expand networks with institutes in the United States and Europe - the role models for international MICE curriculum – to further uplifting the education of Thai educational institutes to be on par with international standard.”

TCEB aims to produce 5,000 newly-graduates per an academic term and expects to supply at least 20,000 MICE graduates within 2016 to serve the MICE industry.

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For more information please contact:

Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organisation)

Ms Arisara Thanuplang    Tel +66 2 694 6095    Email: arisara_t@tceb.or.th

Ms Kanokwan Kadeedang    Tel +66 2 694 6006    Email: kanokwan_k@tceb.or.th

Ms Kwanchanok Otton    Tel +66 2 694 6096    Email: kwanchanok_o@tceb.or.th

Ms Paniyada Mulalin    Tel: + 662 694 6096    Email: paniyada_m@tceb.or.th