Mae Fah Luang University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods) to collaborate in leveraging the research to marketplace and meet the global demand as well as creating new food innovators and scientists in an effort to strengthen competitiveness of the country’s food industry.
Under this MoU, both parties will work together in the 3 areas: to support research and develop specific curriculum in the field of food science and innovation and implement activities and programs that empower the students with skills that meet the food industry demands.
The MoU was signed by Prasit Boondoungprasert, Chief Executive Officer at CP Foods; Dr.Sommai Tachasirinugune, Executive Vice President of CP Foods, and Mae Fah Luang University President, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chayaporn Wattanasiri. Meanwhile, Mae Fah Luang and CP Foods RD Center also signed Memorandum of Agreement to develop talents at the graduate level.
The main purpose of the collaboration is to drive research, especially at the Master’s level, in food science in line with international standards. The student will have a chance to apply their researches' outcomes in the industry. The scope of collaboration included research funding, program co-development and supporting projects and activities.
CP Foods CEO Prasit said the company, as a leading company in the agro-industrial and food industry with a vision of becoming the "Kitchen of the World", strives to deliver high quality products and innovations in terms of nutritional value, safety and good taste to consumers all over the world. As a result, the company’s RD Center is constantly developing and innovating. Partnering with Mae Fah Luang University that excels in research is therefore a good opportunity to combine the knowledge and experiences of the private sector with the creative approach of researchers in the academic sector.
He added that the collaboration is also in accordance with CP Group Senior Chairman Dhanin Chearavanont’s vision to bring out the potential of the young generation that will be a force in driving the country's economy and society in the future.
Dr. Chayaporn, President of Mae Fah Luang University said that the University focuses on producing workforce that meet the needs of the market and industry. It is a good opportunity to work with a leading global company like CP Foods to upgrade and develop research, including developing courses at the master's level for producing food science and innovation. This is a great leap forward in the education industry of the country. It also enables new science and technology that inspire researchers and students to produce better food innovations of higher quality.
“The MoU between CP Foods and Mae Fah Luang University will bring the student’s research out of the laboratory to the real world.” added Dr.Sommai Tachasirinugune, Executive Vice President of CP Foods.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Saroat Rawdkuen, Dean of Food Science and Technology Programme, said the MoA to drive and upgrade the research at an international standard and create food solutions that meet global trends, which will help Thai food industry to leverage competitiveness at international level. Moreover, the students will gain access to CP Foods' state-of-the-art research facilities, which will not only improve the quality of their works, but it will an inspiring help for those who want to continue a career on food science.