We witness a handshake that could reshape business education across Southeast Asia. On September 11, 2025, in the gleaming halls of MBA KKU’s new office building, two educational powerhouses forge an alliance destined to transform how we prepare business leaders for an AI-driven future.
Khon Kaen University and AIEI Partner to Launch MBA AI Program
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. Meanwhile, this groundbreaking alliance, formalized during an elaborate signing ceremony, aims to develop an innovative “MBA AI” curriculum and foster an AI learning ecosystem for modern business executives. Ultimately, 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 ceremony brought together distinguished leaders including Dr. Sakchai Jarernsiripornkul, Dean of MBA KKU, and Dr. Akkarit Sangpetch, Director of AIEI, along with Prof. Dr. Wanida Kanarkard, Deputy Director of AIEI. Furthermore, executives from both institutions, faculty members, and media representatives gathered to witness this historic moment in AI education development.
Catalyst
Dr. Sakchai Jarernsiripornkul emphasized the relentless pace of technological change, particularly in artificial intelligence, which is fundamentally transforming work processes and organizational management. As he explained, educational institutions bear the responsibility for upskilling and reskilling the business workforce. Consequently, MBA KKU recognized the critical need to integrate AI into its curriculum, teaching methods, and personnel development.
The primary goal became crystal clear: empower businesses to leverage AI effectively, enhancing their competitiveness across various provinces in the Northeast and the Greater Mekong Subregion.
Significantly, this collaboration received strong support from the Khon Kaen University Council, administration, and president, who encouraged all university units to embrace AI more actively. This institutional backing proved crucial in moving the partnership from concept to reality.
Rising Action
Dr. Akkarit Sangpetch revealed that AIEI operates as 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 centers on helping 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, the institute has built substantial expertise. However, Dr. Akkarit recognized that systematic integration of AI into business development required a specialized partnership approach.
Turning Point
The partnership crystallized around four transformative dimensions that would revolutionize business education in the region:
- 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.
Dr. Akkarit expressed confidence that this academic collaboration marks a new dimension in preparing Thai businesses for the AI era. The structured approach would create tangible benefits for communities while advancing regional industries nationwide.
Resolution
This collaboration represents a significant step towards enhancing the capabilities of businesses in the Northeastern and Greater Mekong regions. Companies will now be able to adapt to technological changes and gain a competitive edge in the digital age. As a result, Khon Kaen University is poised to become a central hub for AI human resource development in the region.
The partnership between MBA KKU and AIEI establishes a new paradigm for business education that bridges academic excellence with practical AI implementation. Through this initiative, we’re not just witnessing the birth of an MBA AI program—we’re seeing the foundation for Thailand’s next generation of digitally-savvy business leaders. For organizations seeking to stay competitive in our rapidly evolving economy, this collaboration offers a blueprint for how educational institutions can adapt to the age of AI for everyone while maintaining their commitment to regional development and practical business solutions.
