TCEB signs MoU with US university

BANGKOK, 20 November 2014: Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of North Texas (UNT) to create a strategic network for MICE education.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, earlier this week, TCEB’s Administration and Strategic Support vice president, Chiruit Israngkun Na Ayuthaya, said the collaboration with UNT will strengthen Thailand’s MICE industry.
“To leverage Thailand’s MICE industry to meet international standards in preparation for the ASEAN Economic Community, TCEB initiated MoUs with European and US educational institutes.”
inside no 1The MoU between TCEB and UNT will cover an exchange of information, joint academic and research activities, scholarhips, and student mobility programmes, joint MICE curriculum development and joint organisation of conferences, short courses and meetings on research issues.
“This agreement is crucial to Thailand in terms of marketing and sales promotions, as the US is among the top 10 source countries for MICE visitors.”
UNT will help pave way for projects to drive MICE education between the two countries and also connect UNT with approximately 80 MICE participating universities and vocational colleges throughout Thailand to further develop tourism and MICE education, he said.
University of North Texas (UNT) president, Dr Neal Smatresk, said Thailand is considered Southeast Asia’s education hub, and an important partner to help bridge UNT to AEC next year.
“Thailand has also successfully driven its tourism and MICE industry forward. We also see strong development of the tourism hospitality and event management curriculum, which are top choices of our students.”
This year, TCEB has joined force with leading education institutions domestically and internationally targeting key markets such as Germany, Japan, US, Australia, Switzerland, China, and UK.
The bureau plans to train 5,000 MICE student a year and up to 20,000 by the end of 2015.

sourced:ttrweekly.com