Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group has partnered with Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) to launch a "syntegrative" education centre that can disrupt the industry in Thailand, positioning the nation as a global learning hub.
The Thai conglomerate said it wants to reshape the future of education through the CP Group's Center of Excellence (CP COE) – XJTLU.
According to Teerapon Tanomsakyut, chief sustainability and strategy officer at CP Group, the collaboration represents a powerful integration of academic excellence and industry expertise -- a model that could redefine how future generations learn, work and innovate.
The centre was launched at True Digital Park, Southeast Asia's largest technology and startup hub.
Mr Teerapon said learning programmes are expected to start in the final quarter of this year.
The COE-XJTLU syntegrative education system blends academic knowledge, practical experience and cross-sector collaboration, with a goal to transform into a campus in two years.
The centre offers a range of flexible learning pathways, including micro-credentials, short courses, and collaborative R&D initiatives. Programmes are designed to accommodate diverse learners, from students and professionals to entrepreneurs and corporate leaders.
Participants work on real-world projects, progressing from problem identification to solution development and practical implementation, ensuring that outcomes are directly applicable to industry needs.
Initial programmes focus on three areas: artificial intelligence and robotics; digital transformation; and business and startup development.
CP group joins with XJTLU to launch Center of Excellence (CP COE) – XJTLU. Their executives at the event include Mr Suphachai, fourth from left; Mr Dhanin, sixth from left; Mr Teerapon, seventh from left; and Professor Xiaojun Zhang, Chief Officer of Education of XJTLU, fifth from right.
Dhanin Chearavanont, senior chairman of CP Group, said education must go beyond theory. True understanding comes from solving real problems, and industry challenges provide a platform for young people to experiment, learn and innovate -- much like startups.
"Even failure is part of the learning process, as long as mistakes are not repeated," he said.
Mr Dhanin said human capital development remains the cornerstone of national competitiveness, stressing the need for an education system that equips individuals with the ability to think critically, act effectively and create tangible value.
Suphachai Chearavanont, senior executive vice-chairman of CP Group and founder of CP COE, said businesses can and should serve as learning centres for society.
Prof Youmin Xi, executive president of XJTLU, said education must cultivate critical thinking, creativity, and the ability to integrate knowledge across disciplines, which it dubs "syntegrative wisdom".
He said Thailand is an international hub for education in the digital economy.
By bridging academia, business and society, the initiative aims to accelerate the development of talent, innovation and economic growth at both regional and global levels, noted Prof Xi.
The XJTLU is a partnership between British and Chinese institutions, which hosts more than 26,000 students and grants dual degrees from both nations.
The university recently transitioned through Model 3.0, which blurred the boundaries between industry and academia, he said.
XJTLU is embarking on its Model 4.0 strategy for the next decade, aiming to transform industry networks into a social ecosystem.
Prof Xi said a key component of the global vision involves strategic collaboration in Thailand, with the project viewed as a test for the 4.0 social ecosystem education model.
