Over 100 leading companies to participate in the event on 28 February.

Amidst the rapid transformations in technology and the labour market, the primary challenge for higher education institutions today extends beyond merely imparting curriculum-based knowledge for a degree. The mission is to cultivate “complete graduates” who are ready to enter the professional world seamlessly. During a KKU Transformation broadcast, Associate Professor Pensri Jaroenwanit, Ph.D., Vice President for Student Affairs and Innovation Commercialization at Khon Kaen University, shared her perspective on producing graduates in the modern era, emphasising that the university must align its vision with the genuine needs of employers.

“Our perspective must align with that of employers or those who hire our graduates. What they seek now are graduates who are proficient in both professional knowledge and essential life skills,” stated Assoc. Prof. Pensri. She stressed that while university education lasts only four to six years, the skills required for a professional career are lifelong. Therefore, the university has a crucial role in nurturing graduates to be “Ready to Work” from their very first day after graduation.

To achieve this goal, the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Innovation Commercialization has launched extracurricular initiatives to develop students. This includes the establishment of the Soft Skills Academy platform, designed to enhance the life skills necessary for students to thrive in contemporary society. A unique identity framework, known as the “EGGS Identity,” has been created, encompassing four key pillars:

• E (Entrepreneurial): Possessing an entrepreneurial mindset.
• G (Global Minded): Understanding global contexts and having the capacity to live internationally.
• G (Growth Oriented): Cultivating a growth mindset, maturity, and self-reliance.
• S (Sustainable Focus): Demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.

A distinctive feature of this system is the “Soft Skill Transcript,” a data repository that records each student’s participation in activities and the skills they accumulate throughout their studies.

“Our graduates will receive a second transcript—the Soft Skill Transcript—generated from their participation in all related activities. This provides a special value for KKU students, certifying that they are ready to work,” Assoc. Prof. Pensri explained, highlighting how this will enhance their competitive edge in the job market.

In addition to skill development, Khon Kaen University has created a tool to bridge the gap to the professional world: the “Career X” platform. Developed in collaboration with Internet Thailand Public Company Limited (INET), this platform is designed as a central hub connecting over 2,000 employers with KKU students and alumni. The innovation of Career X lies in its use of AI technology to facilitate highly accurate job matching.

“Career X features an AI system that analyses profiles. For instance, when a student uploads their CV, detailing their strengths, unique skills, and desired job type, the AI immediately matches their profile with suitable positions at various companies,” Assoc. Prof. Pensri noted, pointing out the system’s advantage in saving time for both employers and applicants. The platform offers students and alumni access to three types of employment opportunities: part-time work to earn income and gain skills during their studies, internships, and full-time positions for graduating students.

However, while the online system provides 24/7 convenience, the university also recognises the importance of facilitating physical connections to create a more vibrant and comprehensive employment ecosystem. This has led to this year’s most significant highlight: the expansion from the digital world to a major recruitment event, the “KKU Job Fair 2026 Powered by JobThai.” The event will be held on 28 February 2027, at the Golden Jubilee Convention Hall. This is not just a typical job fair but a historic partnership with JobThai, the largest job search platform in Thailand. Assoc. Prof. Pensri acknowledged this as a rare opportunity for the people of the northeastern region.

“JobThai informed us that they have never organised an event outside of Bangkok. This is the first time they have chosen Khon Kaen as a provincial destination. The scale is immense; they are bringing over 100 leading companies with more than 10,000 vacancies. These include full-time, part-time, and internship positions from across the country, including from Chonburi, Ayutthaya, and the southern region. They are all coming here specifically to recruit high-quality graduates from Khon Kaen University,” she said.

In addition to submitting applications, attendees will benefit from a Resume Clinic, where HR professionals will offer guidance on refining CVs to attract employers, and an on-site interview system that allows for immediate interviews and hiring decisions. 

Concluding the broadcast, the Vice President for Student Affairs and Innovation Commercialization reiterated that both the Career X platform and the Job Fair reflect Khon Kaen University’s commitment to “Social Devotion.”

“We are not doing this solely for KKU students; we are doing it for everyone in the northeastern region who is seeking opportunities. We encourage anyone who can travel to Khon Kaen to attend, as our aim is to build an ecosystem that enhances competitiveness and ensures equitable access to stable employment for all,” Assoc. Prof. Pensri concluded.

 

The KKU Job Fair 2026:

• • Date and Time: Saturday, 28 February 2027 | 09:30–18:00 hrs.
  • Venue: Golden Jubilee Convention Hall, Khon Kaen University.
  • Highlights: Meet over 100 leading companies (including CP All, CPF, Bangkok Bank, UNIQLO, ThaiBev, and Central Group) | Over 10,000 job vacancies | Resume Clinic | Talk Sessions and a Lucky Draw with prizes from JobThai.
  • Preparation: Pre-register at https://www.jobthai.com/ceuM8J