25 February 2012

Study Visit on Tourism Education at Master of Science Program in Service

Innovation, College of Innovation, Thammasat University (Pattaya Campus)

Welcome Address by Dr. Pongthep Vorakitpokatorn

Presentation on Thammasat University, College of Innovation and the Master Program on Service Innovation

By Dr. Supatcharajit Jitpraphai, MSI Faculty

• College of Innovation is at two campuses (Bangkok and Pattaya) offer Master’s Degree.
• We expect (Master of Science in Service Innovation) MSI graduates can think, create and innovate.

• This year, our program will start this June.
• We have cooperative program called MIHM (Master of Science in Inovative Healthcare Management) focusing on medical science.
• Our program focuses on these core concepts.

-Multi-disciplinary

-Integrated knowledge

-Innovation

-Creativity

-Out-of-the-box

• Our courses are different from somewhere else like

-Introduction to Service Innovation and to Service Innovation and Creativity

-Data and Decisions for Service Design and Delivery

-Marketing & Branding in Service management

-Service operations, Excellence and Innovation

-Contemporary Issues in Service Innovation

• Students can choose to do thesis or mini-project instead of thesis.

• Our graduates have these skills.

-Critical thinking

-Strong problem-solving skills

-Innovative service design

-A unique approach to creative and innovative thinking

-A strong blend of creativity and structured analysis

-A keen understanding of how to behave responsibly and sustainability in all aspects of service innovation

Presentation on Research Projects and Training Program

By Ms. Pawinee Sunalai, Senior Administrative Officer

Research Projects

• Tourism& Travel Related Services Strategic Plan: Responding to the AEC 2015 funded by the Department of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism and Sport, Thailand
• Strategy to Encourage Tourists to Stay Longer on the NSEC in Lao PDR under GMS Sustainable Tourism Project in Lao PDR: ADB Grant No.0117-SF
• CBT Network Project focusing on developing a mechanism for CBT network and support sustainable CBT development at the provincial level
• Assessment of Tourism Potential in Suksamran Community which is the work for USAID
• Interpretative Strategy and Visitor Management  Plan for World Heritage Site: Vat Phou and Champasak Cultural Landscape, Lao PDR

Training on “Strategic Management and Planning of Tourism Destinations: Creating a Positive Visitor Experience While Meeting the Needs of the Community”

Q&A and Discussion

Prof. Dr. Daw Khin Sway Myint

• Right now, Myanmar has only 1 diploma course (Diploma of tourism study management which is 2 year course). I want to send teachers to get degree here.
• We have vocational tourism training for private sector.
• During 2011, we have rising tourist number 30%. Demand of service needs trained personnel.
• Plan in 2013, we will start opening up 2 BA courses in Yangon University and Mandalay University to educate sustainable and green tourism.
• Diploma courses will expand more to more universities.
• Teachers at diploma course are those who got M.A. or Ph.D. in other fields instead of tourism but got tourism diploma. They need to get degree in tourism to teach at undergraduate courses. It is urgent matter.
• We want to send our teachers to study here for Master’s Degree. We are seeking help from FIHRD to get some scholarship scheme.

Mr. Kornpatchara Sukserm

• We cooperate with Myanmar. We know that they want to get scholarship to study for M.A. or Ph.D. in tourism in Thailand.

Dr. Pongthep Vorakitpokatorn

• You should contact ASEAN. Dr. Surin Pitsuwan said they have some fund for study.

U Tin Tun Aung

• How many students do you have?

Ms. Pawinee Sunalai

• We got 8-10 students per class.
• There will be no more than 30 students per class because it is not good for learning environment.
• 2 students are exchange students funded by TICA. One is from Bangladesh and the other is from Bhutan.

Daw Thida Han

• Do you have Ph.D. and M.A. program?
• How do you evaluate staff and service quality?

Dr. Pongthep Vorakitpokatorn

• We have many criteria to control.
• We have quality assurance.
• We do not have online Ph.D. and M.A. program.

Prof. Dr. Htay

• How do you teach in these courses (Cultural Management program)?

Dr. Supatcharajit Jitpraphai

• They teach M.A. in Cultural Management program in Thai. This is popular. It can be applied to cultural tourism.

Prof. Dr. Daw Khin Sway Myint

• We are interested in cultural tourism. We want to know about book, references and program.

Dr. Supatcharajit Jitpraphai

• We can organize this specific training for you.

Ajarn John

• Your timing is perfect. We need critical skill and ability to innovate. We need to know tourism lifestyle, dispersion, impact on culture. We should think of tourism’s impact on community.