Chula Launches Korean Career Pathway Program 

The Korean Studies Center, in collaboration with the Korean Language Program under the Department of Eastern Languages, Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University, recently held the “Career Pathway Promotion Program for Korean Businesses” on April 2, 2026, at the CU Social Innovation Hub, Visid Prachuabmoh Building, Chulalongkorn University.

At the opening ceremony, Prof. Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, delivered the welcome remarks. H.E. Nam Hyuk Kim, Minister at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Thailand, gave the opening speech while Assoc. Prof. Suradech Chotiudompant, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pavika Sriratanaban, Director of the Institute of Asian Studies, also delivered welcome remarks and a report on the program.  

The program brought together government agencies and Korean business organizations, including Korean companies, airlines, public sector organizations, and industrial and service organizations. It provided a platform for knowledge exchange between academia and industry, offering insights into recruitment, internships, and student preparation for Korean language majors and minors in the Faculty of Arts. It also allowed students to learn how to prepare themselves for internships and future careers. 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pavika Sriratanaban stated that the Institute of Asian Studies established the Korean Studies Center to broaden knowledge about Korea beyond language and culture. With funding support from the Korean government for research and scholarships, the Center aims to drive policy and lifelong learning by analyzing labor market needs and developing training programs that meet the demands of major employers. This initiative serves as a bridge connecting students with leading companies, helping them build essential skills before entering the workforce. The Institute also plans to use this program as a model for collaboration with other countries to strengthen Thailand’s global role. 

Assoc. Prof. Suradech Chotiudompant added that a key strength of the Korean Language Program at the Faculty of Arts is its strong collaboration network with the business sector, including Korean companies in Thailand and government-supported initiatives. These partnerships provide students with internship opportunities and clear career pathways. Past data also reflects strong academic growth, from secondary education to higher-level scholarships, demonstrating a solid foundation to meet future labor market demands.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Supaporn Boonrung, Director of the Korean Studies Center, noted that the Center has received funding for the “Core University Program for Korean Studies” under the theme “Building a Sustainable Future for Korean Studies in Thailand and Establishing an ASEAN Hub,” supported by the Academy of Korean Studies under the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea, for a five-year period (2025–2029). The initiative aims to ensure the sustainability of Korean Studies education in Thailand. 

She added that this career promotion program contributes to sustainability in Korean Studies by forming partnerships with public and private sectors, as well as Korean companies. It uses employer demand data to develop specialized curricula, transforming Korean language learners into professionals with more focused expertise. 

The event featured lectures, panel discussions, and a K-Company Career Fair, where information booths from various organizations helped strengthen mutual understanding between academia and industry. This contributes to curriculum development, student guidance, and the preparation of Korean-language graduates to serve the societal and labor market needs in a concrete way.