On April 21, 2024, the Khon Kaen Business School (KKBS) at Khon Kaen University held a ceremony to celebrate its 34th anniversary. The event, hosted in the Smart Classroom of the BS.01 building, was presided over by Assistant Professor Dr. Pinprapa Sangchan, the university’s Assistant to the President for Finance. She was joined by the Dean of KKBS, Assistant Professor Dr. Pongsutti Phusan, along with executives from other university departments and representatives from public and private sector partner organizations.
The day’s festivities began with traditional ceremonies led by the school’s executives, faculty, staff, and students. The group first paid respects at the university’s Chao Por Modindang Shrine before conducting a blessing ceremony at the business school’s own spirit house, making offerings to ask for prosperity and protection for the community. Following these rituals, a Buddhist merit-making ceremony was held, where attendees offered alms to nine monks led by Phra Kru Sirisarnmethee of Wat Sawang Donyang.
Inside the Smart Classroom, the formal proceedings continued with the presiding official lighting candles and incense for a Buddhist rite. Monks then chanted blessings, after which university and faculty executives presented the morning meal and offerings to them. The ceremony concluded with a sermon and a traditional water blessing from Phra Kru Sirisarnmethee to bring good fortune and encouragement to all attendees.
Separately, Phra Rajaprasittikhun, the Deputy Ecclesiastical Provincial Governor of Khon Kaen, led a sacred marking and water-blessing ceremony for the new “Chana Supatsorn” Co-Working Space and other areas in the B01 and BS02 buildings.
The event continued with the opening ceremony for the “Chana Supatsorn” Co-Working Space. Assistant Professor Dr. Pongsutti Phusan, Dean of the Business School, delivered the opening report. Remarks were then given by Associate Professor Dr. Pensri Jaroenwanit, the university’s Vice President for Student Affairs and a former dean of the school, and by the project’s main benefactor, Mr. Chana Supatsorn, CEO of Intelligist Co., Ltd.
The new space was officially received on behalf of the university by Associate Professor Dr. Issara Kanjak, Dean of the Faculty of Education, and Assistant Professor Dr. Pinprapa Sangchan, the university’s Assistant to the President for Finance, who also delivered remarks of gratitude.
The “Chana Supatsorn” Co-Working Space is a renovated, single-story multi-purpose facility located behind the Khon Kaen Business School. It features rooms and an open area designed for student activities.
The space is intended to serve students from the Business School, the Faculty of Education, the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Architecture, the College of Graduate Study in Management, and other faculties across Khon Kaen University. It provides a modern and flexible environment for group work, studying, meetings, and creative projects.
Funding for the project included a 3,000,000 baht donation from Mr. Chana Supatsorn, CEO of Intelligist Public Company Limited. The Khon Kaen Business School contributed 2,380,000 baht, and the Faculty of Education provided an additional 1,000,000 baht.
The event concluded with an awards ceremony honoring outstanding personnel. Certificates were presented across six categories, recognizing both academic and support staff. The awards served to celebrate their achievements, boost morale, and highlight them as role models for professional and organizational development.
According to Assistant Professor Dr. Pongsutti Phusan, Dean of the Khon Kaen Business School, the faculty has evolved significantly since its inception. Originally founded as the “Faculty of Management Science” in 1992, it was renamed the “Khon Kaen Business School” in 2016.
He stated that the school has become a central hub for business education in Northeastern Thailand, distinguished by modern curricula that meet 21st-century demands. By integrating business knowledge with industry practices, the school aims to produce well-rounded, creative graduates prepared for the modern workforce.
The Dean noted that this year, 2024, marks the 34th anniversary of the faculty’s founding and the 10th anniversary of its renaming. He credited former Dean, Associate Professor Dr. Pensri Jaroenwanit, who served from 2016 to 2024, for laying the foundation and driving the continuous development that has led to the school’s many successes.
Regarding educational management development, Assistant Professor Dr. Pongsutti Phusan stated that the faculty has developed an Assurance of Learning (AoL) system. This system is designed to manage data for each curriculum, including course syllabi, course reports, a student learning outcomes dashboard, and a curriculum learning outcomes dashboard.
The system is also used to generate a “Skill Transcript,” a certificate that specifies the skills a student has acquired. He noted that this AoL system has been granted a 50-year copyright by the Department of Intellectual Property, Ministry of Commerce.
The Dean added that the faculty has also developed the KKBSX Platform, a system for learning and instructional support. It serves as a channel to promote short-course training activities and supports degree, non-degree, and short-term training programs. The platform is accessible anytime, anywhere, and on any device, allowing users to enhance their business knowledge 24/7.
In addition, the faculty has established several key educational programs:
- KKBS PRE-B (Pre-Bachelor Degree): A lifelong learning program for high-achieving high school students. It allows them to earn credits in advance for the Bachelor of Business Administration program, helping them prepare for higher education.
- Khon Kaen Business School Intelligent Student Camp (KKBS CAMP): A camp for 12th-grade students featuring workshops on business and accounting. Participants experience real classroom learning and practical activities to help them discover their interests and suitable future careers.
- Dual-Degree Program: An integrated program allowing undergraduate students from the faculties of Science, Law, and Agriculture to concurrently study in the Master of Business Administration program at the Business School. This enables students to earn two degrees in 4.5 years, enhancing their skills and knowledge to become successful entrepreneurs in both their primary field and business.
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An orientation session for students in the KKBS PRE-B program. The Dean also noted that the faculty places a strong emphasis on research and academic services.
Key initiatives in this area include:
- KKBS Journal of Business Administration and Accountancy: The faculty established this journal to publish quality academic and research articles in business administration from both within and outside the university. It serves as a platform for experts, faculty, and graduate students to present and exchange academic knowledge and opinions. The journal aims to promote the dissemination of research and knowledge throughout Southeast Asia and is currently certified as a Tier 1 journal by the Thai-Journal Citation Index Centre (TCI).
- Research and Academic Service Centers: The faculty has set up six specialized centers to provide community services and conduct focused research.
Furthermore, the Dean highlighted recent university rankings:
- SCImago Institutions Rankings 2026: Khon Kaen University is ranked 3rd in the country for Business, Management, and Accounting, and 2nd for Economics, Econometrics, and Finance.
- Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026 by subject: In the fields of business and economics, Khon Kaen University is ranked in the 601-800 band globally and 3rd in Thailand.
He stated that these ranking achievements are the result of collaborative efforts from several related faculties and departments, including the Khon Kaen Business School (KKBS), the Faculty of Economics, the International College, the College of Graduate Study in Management, and the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies.
Regarding awards, the Dean added that the faculty has received several honors.
From Khon Kaen University, KKBS was recognized with an “Excellent” award for its financial and procurement performance in 2019. The faculty also received “Very Good” awards for its student development systems in both 2023 and 2025.
Additionally, the Thai Startup Trade Association presented KKBS with the “The Talent Makers” award in the Friends of Makers category. This recognized the faculty as the first educational institution to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the association, demonstrating a genuine commitment to creating new startups. The Dean emphasized the faculty’s ongoing dedication to fostering a new generation of entrepreneurs through its annual KKBS Startup Camp, which provides Khon Kaen University students with opportunities to learn about the startup ecosystem and prepare for entrepreneurship.
To support and enhance student learning, the Dean explained that the faculty has established several key resources and initiatives.
The KKBS Career Excellence Centre (KKBS: CEC) and the Next Gen Business Club were created to help students develop essential soft skills. Through various activities, these platforms provide students with practical experience in critical thinking and hands-on application, equipping them with skills necessary for the 21st century.
The faculty has also invested in developing practical learning environments, including:
- KKBS Library
- Computer labs
- A food laboratory
- A hotel laboratory
- Smart and Hybrid Classrooms
- An Edutainment Room for computer services
- KKBS STUDIO, KKBS SPA, and KKBS Cafe’
In addition, the faculty has launched a new website designed with a “User-Centered” approach to modernize its online communication and information services. Generative AI was used in the coding process to create a modern, user-friendly system that performs efficiently across all devices.
Furthermore, the faculty developed the “KKBS PLUS” application specifically for its students. The app allows students to:
- Book rooms such as the Library Meeting Room, SET Investment Center (SET IC), KKBS Career Excellence Centre (KKBS CEC), and KKBS STUDIO.
- Check class schedules.
- Access the DMIND mental health check service.
- Submit complaints or suggestions directly to the administration.
- The Dean also emphasized the faculty’s focus on building national and international partnerships to enhance education, research, and human resource development, ensuring it meets the demands of the Thai labor market and industry.
Currently, the faculty collaborates with public, private, and industrial sector organizations on various initiatives. These include developing research projects focused on practical innovation and technology, supporting startup and entrepreneurship programs, and creating personnel training and curriculum development that align with market needs. These partnerships also provide students with real-world internship opportunities. Key domestic partners include the Khon Kaen Economic Organization Network, the Thailand Regional Business Schools Network (TRBS NET), the Business School Network of Thailand (BSNT), CMO Public Company Limited, JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok, and the Marketing Technology Association of Thailand (MarTech Association).
Internationally, the faculty has established collaborations with leading universities and educational organizations to elevate its curriculum and professional skills development. These partnerships offer students academic experiences through exchange programs, international internships, and short-term study projects. Such opportunities help students enhance their academic abilities, cross-cultural communication skills, and gain a broader perspective on the global business world. International partners include National Chi Nan University, the University of Colima, and the School of Business at the University of California, Riverside.
The Dean further stated that the faculty officially received international accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in November 2025.
This achievement positions KKBS as a world-class business and accounting school. It is the first educational institution in Northeastern Thailand and the ninth in the country to earn this global standard.
The Dean noted that fewer than 6% of business schools worldwide, across more than 70 countries, have achieved AACSB accreditation, which is recognized globally as the highest mark of educational quality. He described this as a significant step forward, elevating the quality of the faculty’s education, teaching, and research to be on par with leading international institutions.
“As we enter our 34th year, the faculty pledges its continued commitment to development, aligning with the policies and direction of Khon Kaen University,” the Dean of the Khon Kaen Business School said, outlining the faculty’s dedication. “We aim to be an educational institution for business and accounting that produces graduates with the potential to drive and advance Thailand’s digital economy towards stable growth and sustainable international standing.”
He affirmed that this commitment is guided by the faculty’s vision: “KKBS is a Premier Business School Focused on Industrial Integration for Sustainable Economic Development,” a principle that has consistently guided the faculty’s progress.
News/Photos: Banphot Philaphan
