RAYONG, Thailand – Khon Kaen University’s Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is exploring a partnership with Changan Auto Thailand to create cooperative education opportunities for its Chinese language students, with the aim of bridging academia and the international automotive industry.

A delegation from the university, led by Associate Professor Dr. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, President of Khon Kaen University, visited Changan Auto’s facilities in Rayong and Bangkok on 16–17 March. The group included representatives from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and the university’s Confucius Institute.

 

During the visit, faculty leaders, including Dean Orathai Piayura and Benyatip Supakalin, Head of the Department of Oriental Languages, toured Changan’s new energy vehicle manufacturing plant in Rayong. The tour provided insights into the production processes, operations, and human resource management of a major international corporation, highlighting the practical application of language, culture, and communication within a corporate environment.

Following the tour, university officials met with Changan Auto executives to discuss the company’s workforce needs. The conversation focused on how to develop students’ language and cross-cultural communication skills to align with the current demands of the labor market.

A key outcome of the discussions was a proposal for a cooperative education program. This initiative would allow students majoring in Chinese to undertake internships at Changan Auto, providing them with real-world work experience in a leading organization. The program is intended to enhance students’ communication skills and prepare them for future careers in the modern workforce.

This potential collaboration marks a significant step in connecting language and cultural studies with the industrial sector, with the aim of strengthening students’ capabilities to meet evolving labour market needs.