In a world undergoing profound change, fostering international cooperation and building a community with a shared future for humanity have become important means of achieving global peace and economic progress.
Thailand is an important partner for China within ASEAN. In November 2022, General Secretary XI Jinping and the Thai leadership reached a consensus on advancing the "Community with a Shared Future for China and Thailand". During his meeting with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on November 15, 2024, General Secretary XI emphasized the importance of deepening cooperation in the fields of culture, education and youth exchanges as a basis for strengthening bilateral relations.
The national strategy of "Opening Education to the World" encourages Chinese universities to actively promote stronger educational and cultural ties. These efforts are closely in line with China and Thailand’s common goals of enhancing mutual understanding and promoting sustainable development.
As a leading Chinese management school committed to national priorities and global engagement, School of Management at Zhejiang University (ZJUSOM) has established solid partnerships with Thai universities and companies. Since the first collaboration with Chulalongkorn University in 2019, ZJUSOM has leveraged talent development programs, action learning initiatives and corporate exchange activities to promote educational and economic growth between the two nations.
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ZJUSOM Leads the Way: Strengthening China-Thailand Ties with the Establishment of the “Zhejiang University Thailand Center” in Bangkok |
Over the many years of cooperation, China and Thailand have strengthened their relationship in various fields, including tourism, agriculture, green economy and technological innovation. This cooperation has attracted significant investment from Chinese companies. There are currently more than 2,000 companies operating in Thailand. These investments cover traditional sectors such as manufacturing, finance and transportation services as well as emerging industries such as information communication and new energy.
Recognizing the growing importance of China-Thailand relations and the national strategy of opening up education to the world, Zhejiang University School of Management (ZJUSOM), under the leadership of Zhejiang University’s Education Opening-up Leading Group, has taken the initiative to establish the "Zhejiang University Thailand Center" in Thailand.
The center is positioning itself in Thailand as an important regional hub for Southeast Asia. By building a high-caliber international exchange platform, it will leverage ZJU’s multidisciplinary strengths to foster lasting partnerships with Thai universities, key government agencies, regional think tanks and businesses. The center will provide consultancy services, facilitate the cross-border application of ZJU’s research findings and promote economic, educational and cultural development in both China and Thailand.
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ZJUSOM Establishes Strategic Partnership with Sasin School of Management, Chulalongkorn University |
The School of Management at Zhejiang University and Sasin School of Management at Chulalongkorn University have laid a strong foundation for their cooperation through numerous exchanges and mutual visits over the years.
Following extensive planning and discussions, the two institutions signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement in Bangkok on November 18, marking a significant milestone in their partnership. The agreement provides for the establishment of a joint regional center to promote academic and cultural exchange. The signing ceremony was attended by ZHU Yuan, Senior Associate Dean of Zhejiang University School of Management, Ian Fenwick, Dean of Sasin School of Management, Chulalongkorn University, XU Lan, Education Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, and several high-ranking guests from both countries.
From left: XU Lan, ZHU Yuan, Ian Fenwick, Tanasak Krabuanrat
Under the agreement, the two institutions will collaborate on research, offer dual-degree MBA programs and conduct training for managers of Chinese companies in Thailand. We will also facilitate student exchanges so that MBA students from both schools can study at the other institution. This strategic partnership not only deepens the friendship and cooperation between the two schools, but also brings new momentum to academic, cultural and business exchanges between China, Thailand, ASEAN, and the entire region.
Ian Fenwick, Dean of the Sasin College of Management, Chulalongkorn University, and ZHU Yuan, Senior Associate Dean of Zhejiang University School of Management
Group photo of the participants at the signing ceremony between Zhejiang University School of Management and Sasin School of Management
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ZJUSOM Forms Strategic Partnership with Thailand’s Charoen Pokphand Group |
As part of its global open development strategy, Zhejiang University School of Management (ZJUSOM) has entered into a strategic partnership with Thailand’s Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group). This collaboration aims to cultivate management talents with a global perspective through the integration of academic and industrial resources.
On November 16, ZJUSOM and CP Group signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement in Bangkok, Thailand, officially establishing their partnership. The agreement underlines the joint commitment to promote innovation, talent development and sustainable growth. ZHU Yuan, Senior Associate Dean of ZJUSOM, and Ms. Pimonrat Reephattanavitkul, Chief Human Resources Officer of CP Group, signed the agreement. The signing ceremony was attended by Professor WANG Huan, First Secretary of the Cultural Affairs Department of the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, and Mr. Soopakij Chearavanont, Chairman of CP Group.
From left: WANG Huan, ZHU Yuan, Pimonrat Reephattanavitkul, Soopakij Chearavanont
The partnership will enable extensive cooperation in industry, academia and research. Both parties will leverage their strengths — ZJUSOM’s academic excellence and CP Group’s industry expertise — to jointly explore talent development, interdisciplinary research, innovative projects and international collaborations. The aim of this initiative is to drive sustainable economic and social development on a regional and global scale and to achieve a breakthrough in the integration of industry and education.
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Group photo of the participants at the signing ceremony between Zhejiang University School of Management and Charoen Pokphand Group |
ZJUSOM has always regarded international development as one of its key strategic pillars. These significant collaborations with CP Group and other Thai institutions will accelerate the school’s efforts to create a state-of-the-art platform for global cooperation. By deepening the relationship between academia and industry in China and Thailand, these partnerships will produce globally competitive talent, support regional economic growth and advance the shared vision of a "China-Thailand community with a shared future".
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Zhejiang University School of Management: Advancing Through Years of Continuous Progress |
2017 In 2017, School of Management launched its first program to support the national ‘Belt and Road’ initiative — the ‘International Master’s Program in Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Global Leadership’ (PIEGL). This program has attracted students from all over the world, including many from Thailand, to Hangzhou, China, to study innovation and entrepreneurship.
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2019 In December 2019, the School of Management at Zhejiang University and the Sasin School of Management at Chulalongkorn University signed an agreement on the exchange of MBA semesters, officially launching the cooperation between the two parties.
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2022 In June 2022, the opening ceremony of the Zhejiang University Online Training Course on Enterprise Transformation and Development in the Digital Age, a joint international project of Zhejiang University School of Management and Thailand’s Chalermprakiet University, took place. This specialized training program, developed by ZJUSOM’s EDP Education Center, focuses on digital transformation and development. Aimed at high-level professionals from various sectors, including the Thai military, political parties, multinational companies and universities, the course utilizes ZJUSOM’s extensive expertise in digital innovation management. The curriculum covers key topics such as China’s experience with digital innovation, digital strategy and technological transformation in the digital economy. The program aims to share Zhejiang University’s advanced theories and practical insights in the field of digital economic development to help Thai businesses and organizations adapt to the demands of the digital age while fostering the joint efforts of the Belt and Road Initiative. In his speech, Mr. Chuan Leekphai, President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand, praised the program as a significant milestone in the cooperation between the two universities and a testament to the enduring friendship between Thailand and China.
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2023 From 2023, the School of Management of Zhejiang University has set up an overseas social practice action plan for graduate students and send a group of graduate students to Thailand for research and study. During this period, students from Zhejiang University School of Management attended courses at Chulalongkorn Sasin School of Management together with local students. The courses included Strategic Management of Emerging Markets in Asia, Aging in Asia, Consumer Insights, and Thailand’s Competitiveness.
The summer practice group of ZJUSOM went to Sasin School of Management for a visiting scholar program |
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In addition, teachers and students from the practice group also visited Chinese companies and local Thai companies in Thailand, such as Haier, BYD, Zhongce Rubber, Futong Communications, Jinshiyuan, Charoen Pokphand Group, Lazada, etc., and exchanged ideas with Thai business students. The teachers and students of the practice group also used action learning to study the management problems of Chinese companies in Thailand and propose solutions to help Chinese companies going abroad to achieve long-term stability.
The summer practice group of ZJUSOM went to Thailand to conduct research |
In October 2023, the head of the China project of the Sasin School of Management at Chulalongkorn University visited the School of Management at Zhejiang University. Both sides exchanged ideas in detail and discussed the idea of jointly establishing the Sasin China Center. The aim of the center is to promote cooperation and exchange between the two sides in MBA and EMBA programs and to explore possible cooperation in the areas of action learning, case studies and guest stays.
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2024 In April 2024, a delegation from the Zhejiang University School of Management visited the Rayong Thai-Chinese Industrial Park and held talks with relevant organizations, including Chinese companies within the park, the China Enterprises Chamber of Commerce in Thailand, the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, the Eastern Economic Corridor Authority of Thailand, the Charoen Pokphand Group, the Sasin School of Management at Chulalongkorn University and the Bangkok office of UNESCO. Following the principles of consultation, joint contribution and mutual benefit, both sides conducted in-depth exchanges on topics such as the management practices of Thai enterprises, the philosophy of Thai business education and the differences between Chinese and Thai approaches to business research. These exchanges not only strengthened ties between the Chinese and Thai academic and business communities, but also deepened mutual understanding and promoted closer cooperation.
The summer practice group of ZJUSOM went to Thailand conduct research
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Looking to the future, School of Management will focus on strengthening the Zhejiang University’s Thailand Center. By expanding academic, cultural and business exchanges, the school aims to make further progress in fostering the Sino-Thai community with a shared future.
- You can read the original article in Chinese here
