The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau and the Seoul Tourism Organization announced a plan to expand their MICE cooperation framework to encompass the educational arena.

The two universities of Seoul - Kyung Hee University and Hallym University of Graduate Studies - signed a MoU with TCEB and Seoul Tourism Organization to establish a bilateral ‘Academic Exchange Programme’.

The purpose is to establish an inclusive foundation in Thailand and Seoul for creating future MICE leaders in Asia.

“As a government agency dedicated to supporting the MICE industry, TCEB is keenly aware of the importance of regional cooperation to enhance and develop standards within the industry,” said Nichapa Yoswee, TCEB’s director of MICE Capabilities Department.

Yoswee added, “We are therefore proud to be joining with the Seoul Tourism Organisation to establish a framework for exchange and collaboration in MICE education. We have decided we will initiate the Academic Exchange Programme with an approach to educate present and future generations of MICE professionals. “

Sung-Real Lee, president and CEOof Seoul Tourism Organization, said, “Last year’s MoU enabled STO to expand Seoul’s presence in Thailand’s MICE market. Seoul is a strong and important market for Thailand, and this year STO looks forward to working more closely with TCEB to maximize and broaden our framework of cooperation to the educational programme. The extension of the MICE education programme with Thailand provides a practical and engaging way for universities in Seoul to enhance professional standards among students through a wide range of academic activities.”

The MoU prepares the way to establish a long-term affiliation among the parties in four areas:

1) exchange of material and information;

2) shared academic research activities, including exchanges among visiting faculty members, research scholars and students;

3) cooperation in MICE curriculum development; and

4) joint organisation of symposia, conferences, short courses and meetings on research issues.

The mutual partnership is designed to meet industry’s need and demands for quality education to improve the professional caliber of new graduates entering the workforce in order to extend and build Asia’s future MICE leaders.

In terms of MICE Industry, South Korea is considered a high potential MICE market for Thailand.

South Korean is Thailand’s sixth largest MICE market, with arrivals representing 6 per cent of all Asian MICE travellers to Thailand.

A total of 23,570 South Korean MICE tourists visited Thailand in 2011, generating more than 2 billion Thai Baht in foreign exchange earnings.