The Asia Institute recently took a trip to Bangkok, Thailand to promote the relationship between Babson College and the region. AI was represented by Dr. Robert Eng, Dr. Abdul Ali, Les Charm, and Li “Clare” Zhang who works out of the Asia Institute’s Beijing office.
The trip’s main objective was to share Babson’s talent in entrepreneurship education with Bangkok University through a three day “Entrepreneurship Education Workshop.” Bangkok University is primarily known for its leadership in Media education, and they are looking to diversify their academic programs – specifically by creating a formal training avenue for aspiring entrepreneurs. As the leader in this field, Babson College was invited to initiate a discussion on developing such a program. The Asia Institute presented the overall vision of an entrepreneurship education as well as the distinct aspects of the associated curriculum. It became a forum for discussion on Bangkok University’s steps to develop its own program in entrepreneurship.
Following the workshop was an alumni event that was hosted by Yod Jin Uahwatanasakul, Asia’s most senior Babson alumni. Mr. Uahwatanasakul (1960, H 1994, P1999) held the event at his building and hosted Babson alumni who spanned classes as early as his year to as late as 2005. Extended family members of graduates and potential future students were also in attendance. Family involvement at such functions is quite common in Asia. The role of families in this region is such that they feel just as strong a connection to institutions that their relatives belong to as do the relatives themselves.
The bond by association is one reason why Bangkok University’s
President, Vice President, and other upper-level personnel also joined the alumni reception. The university’s founder, Mr. Surat Osathanugrah, was a previous Babson College student. Mr. Osathanugrah had actually matriculated at Babson earlier than Mr. Uahwatanasakul, but left before his last year to pursue other endeavors. The entrepreneurial spirit of Babson remained with Mr. Osathanugrah, however, as he subsequently participated in many successful ventures and professional activities. In fact, the profits of his first venture were used to found Bangkok University. Mr. Osathanugrah is one of Thailand' s most prominent businessmen, a former Deputy Minister of Interior, a former Minister of Commerce and a former member of the House of Representatives, representing Khon Kaen province.
Both the “Entrepreneurship Education Workshop” and the alumni reception strengthened Babson’s presence in Asia. Babson College and the Asia Institute welcome a continued relationship with Bangkok University and our esteemed alumni and students from Asia.
