Sripatum University gears up for Thailand 4.0 with launch of comprehensive new course to equip business operators with competitive edge of digital retail and marketing

Friday 25 November 2016 11:50
Sripatum University is building on the success of its widely popular Academy of Business Creativity or ABC course with the launch of DEF – Digital Edge Fusion, a comprehensive curriculum aimed at business operators. The course is designed by two powerhouses: a digital guru who spearheaded one of Thailand's most successful e-marketplaces and the brain behind the success of Thailand's number one grill restaurant many marketing campaigns. Rreputable leaders from several industries including former finance minister Korn Chitkavanij, TV personality Woody Vuthithorn Milintachinda, President of Osotsapa Wannipa Bhakdibutr, Executive Vice President Music Production & Promotion of GMM Grammy Wichian Rerkpaisan, famous Thai singer-songwriter and music producer Boyd Cheewin Kosiyabong, leading lady in advertising Judy Jureeporn Thaidamrong and famous photographer Anuchai Srijarunputong, among others, will be sharing their own success stories and experiences in 4D, which stands for Knowledge, Opportunity, Society, and Fun.

Assistant Professor Ravipa Akrajindanon, Ph.D., Dean, School of Business Administration, Sripatum University said that the university's mission is to generate quality human capital who will drive Thailand's growth. Aside from full-time students, Sripatum University also aims to educate and equip people in the business sector with the skills and knowledge that they need to survive the fast changing business landscape. This is especially important, with the rise of Thailand 4.0, in which the economy will be driven not by manufacturing, by innovation and creativity.

"On the back of the success of our ABC course, I'm pleased to introduce a sequel that offers an even more comprehensive and focused approach to business in the new paradigm. DEF or Digital Edge Fusion will focus heavily on utilizing the digital platform not only for business growth, but also for social improvements and national progress. We are honored to have with us some of the leaders in Thailand's digital and marketing worlds who will ensure that the students will have a truly hands on experience throughout the entire course."

The crew who were the masterminds behind the success of ABC have also helped to design DEF, along with Pawoot Pongvitayapanu, a pioneer of Thailand's e-commerce industry and founder of tarad.com, and Boonyanuch Boonbumrungsub, a branding and marketing expert to made Bar B Q Plaza a household name.

Pawoot Pongvitayapanu said that the growth of e-commerce in Thailand will likely be explosive, thanks to many driving forces including the Thailand 4.0 policy by the government and the rise of FinTech. DEF will equip learners with the knowledge of all aspects of digital that can be implemented in the real world. What truly differentiates DEF from other digital-focused courses is the hands-on experiences that will see the students promote real products by villagers in Karnchanaburi province using all the knowledge they will have learned. This will not only sharpen their skills, but also bring pride for being able to help contribute to the society.

"The heart of this course is the opportunity to get your hands dirty. You'll get to learn from the success and failure of all the gurus from the marketing, e-commerce, web design and development, and even fashion, which all contribute to a having a successful business. The icing on the cake will be a visit to Facebook and Google in Singapore to experience new innovation that will maximize the effectiveness of digital marketing and commerce."

Boonyanuch Boonbumrungsub said that an important part of this course is on how to use digital as the most powerful communication tool to reach your audiences far more widely and quickly than traditional media. The power of digital can help to build brand engagement and shield its reputation, which is just as valuable as bottom lines if not more so.

"What the students will get out of this course is a 4-dimensional experience. The Knowledge will come from learning from the experiences of the guest lecturers as well as fellow students. The Opportunity represents not only the opportunity to learn from leading gurus, but also the pros at Facebook and Google, as well as the mentors. The Society part will come through being able to utilize what you learn to actually help generate an income for a group of villagers in Karnchanaburi province through a brand-building and e-commerce exercise. Lastly, the Fun will come from the interesting and memorable content. Beyond the knowledge and experience, I think what the students will probably value the most is the pride that they will feel from being able to put their knowledge to good use, not only for their own business, but for our society."

Assistant Professor Ravipa Akrajindanon, Ph.D., Dean, School of Business Administration, Sripatum Universityreiterated that DEF is not about how to make your business profitable, but it encourages students to think beyond themselves and see how they can put their knowledge to create benefits for others, their communities, our society, and ultimately our country. The course will also help SME operators transform their businesses to become smart enterprises and high-potential startups.

The DEF course will run from March 2 through June 8, 2017. Classes will be taught every Thursday from 10.00 – 17.300 hrs. at Sripatum University's 40th Anniversary building, 11th floor. Tuition is 150,000 baht. For more information, please contact the university or visitwww.defbyspu.com. Applications are accepted from November 24, 2016 until January 31, 2017.