Bangkok, July 21, 2026 — A major event connecting education and the automotive industry in China and Thailand opened this morning at the Gabriel Mary Research and Learning Center for New Energy Vehicle Technology, Suvarnabhumi Campus, Assumption University of Thailand (AU).
The Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Chinauto Skills Center (Thailand) Training and Practice Program and the China–Thailand Industry–Education Cooperation Signing and Inauguration Ceremony brought together representatives, faculty members, and students from the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT), SAIC Motor-CP (MG), Castrol Thailand, the Chinauto Skills Center, Assumption University, and Xihua University. Together, they celebrated a shared commitment to cross-border talent development and industry–education collaboration.
During the ceremony, distinguished guests outlined their vision for future cooperation. Speakers included Asst. Prof. Dr. Kitti Phothikitti, Vice President of Assumption University; Mr. Suroj Sangsnit, President of EVAT; Mr. Thammarut Leokladdapun, representative of MG and the Chinauto Skills Center (Thailand); and a representative of Xihua University. A student representative from Xihua University also spoke about the delegation’s aspirations for overseas training and practical learning.
The participating institutions agreed to integrate the academic strengths of universities, the resources of industry associations, and the industrial expertise of leading enterprises. Focusing on new energy vehicle technologies, international practical training, academic exchange, and the cultivation of interdisciplinary professionals, the partners will leverage the opportunities of the Belt and Road Initiative to build a strong bridge for resource sharing, joint talent development, and technological cooperation between the automotive industries of China and Thailand.
The ceremony marked the launch of several major cooperation initiatives. Assumption University and EVAT signed a Memorandum of Understanding, while the MG–Assumption University Academy of New Energy and Intelligent Vehicle Technology was officially inaugurated. Xihua University and the Chinauto Skills Center Thailand also signed an agreement on university–industry cooperation.
Six international industry–education cooperation platforms were inaugurated simultaneously. These include overseas collaborative graduate education bases, the Assumption University Campus of Xihua University’s “Belt and Road” Digital Trade Specialized College, and overseas industry–education integration practice bases. Together, these platforms establish a multi-level, integrated, and cross-border framework for talent development.
Through the newly established cooperation platforms, the Chinese and Thai partners will regularly organize overseas training and study programs, joint postgraduate education, enterprise-oriented skills development, and collaborative research on advanced technologies. These initiatives will bridge the gap between classroom learning and industrial practice and create a comprehensive pathway covering on-campus study, overseas training, and industry employment. The partnership also aims to develop a cross-border education model aligned with international standards and the development needs of ASEAN.
The implementation of these initiatives expands Assumption University’s cooperation with Chinese and Thai universities, industry associations, and leading automotive enterprises while injecting new momentum into cross-border industry–education integration.
Looking ahead, Assumption University will continue aligning high-quality educational resources with the development needs of ASEAN’s new energy vehicle industry. By improving its cross-border collaborative education system, the University will cultivate automotive professionals with strong academic foundations, practical capabilities, and a global outlook. Through education and industry cooperation, Assumption University remains committed to strengthening China–Thailand cultural and educational exchange, promoting shared industrial development, and contributing sustainable talent resources to the long-term, high-quality growth of Southeast Asia.
WRITER: ASSUMPTION UNIVERSITY OF THAILAND
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