Khon Kaen University (KKU)’s College of Graduate Study in Management (MBA KKU) has announced a strategic partnership with the AI Engineering Institute (AIEI), affiliated with CMKL University (a collaboration between Carnegie Mellon University and King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang). The collaboration, formalized on September 11, 2025, aims to develop an innovative “MBA AI” curriculum and foster an AI learning ecosystem for modern business executives. This initiative seeks to enhance Thailand’s human capital, making it “AI-Ready” to drive businesses and the economy in the Northeastern region and the Greater Mekong Subregion.
The signing ceremony, held at MBA KKU’s new office building, was attended by Dr. Sakchai Jarernsiripornkul, Dean of MBA KKU, and Dr. Akkarit Sangpetch, Director of AIEI, along with Prof. Dr. Wanida Kanarkard, Deputy Director of AIEI, executives from both institutions, faculty members, and media representatives.
Dr. Sakchai Jarernsiripornkul emphasized the rapid pace of technological change, particularly in AI, which is fundamentally transforming work processes and organizational management. He stated that as an educational institution responsible for upskilling and reskilling the business workforce, MBA KKU recognizes the critical need to integrate AI into its curriculum, teaching methods, and personnel development. The primary goal is to empower businesses to leverage AI effectively, enhancing their competitiveness across various provinces in the Northeast and the Greater Mekong Subregion. He also noted that this collaboration received strong support from the Khon Kaen University Council, administration, and president, who encouraged all university units to embrace AI more actively.
Dr. Akkarit Sangpetch, Director of AIEI, explained that AIEI is a collaborative network of six universities, including King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Chiang Mai University, Prince of Songkla University, Khon Kaen University, and Mahidol University. Its mission is to help businesses achieve competitiveness and contribute to Thailand’s social and economic development. AIEI leads in developing advanced AI curricula, fostering research and student development across universities, and connecting with leading AI technology providers and startup networks. With over 1,200 students in AI and computer engineering fields, Dr. Akkarit believes this partnership with MBA KKU is a crucial step to systematically integrate AI into business development, creating tangible benefits for communities and advancing regional industries nationwide. He expressed confidence that this academic collaboration marks a new dimension in preparing Thai businesses for the AI era.
The partnership encompasses four key dimensions:
- Curriculum Enhancement: Revamping the MBA program to become “MBA AI,” integrating AI technology into teaching and modernizing the curriculum.
- Short-term Non-degree Courses: Offering lifelong learning programs to further develop the workforce’s AI expertise.
- Business Consulting: Providing direct consultation to businesses through collaboration with technology partners and expert AI providers.
- Event Organization: Hosting a major event from November 21-23, 2025, to present business challenges from various provinces and offer consultations with technology partners.
This collaboration is considered a significant step towards enhancing the capabilities of businesses in the Northeastern and Greater Mekong regions, enabling them to adapt to technological changes and gain a competitive edge in the digital age. Khon Kaen University is poised to become a central hub for AI human resource development in the region.
