UPLB goes to Thailand - Business Affairs Office

UPLB goes to Thailand

UPLB representatives from the Business Affairs Office (BAO), Technology Transfer and Business Development Office (TTBDO), College of Engineering and Agro-industrial Technology (CEAT), and UPLB’s Finance and Audit Team flew to Thailand last June 14 to June 17, 2023 to attend ProPak Asia 2023. It was headed by Dr. Jennifer Marie Amparo, Asst. Vice Chancellor for Administration and Director of the Business Affairs Office. The team also visited Dusit Thani College and Kasetsart University to benchmark their programs and discuss possible collaborations.

DAY 1 & DAY 2: ProPak Asia 2023

Mr. Clarke Nebrao, President of the ALAFOP (Association of the Laguna Food Processing), invited the UPLB team to attend the ProPak Asia 2023 in Bangkok Thailand. ProPak Asia is the region's number one international trade event for Food, Drink, and Pharmaceutical Processing and Packaging Technology. The exhibition hosted 780 companies from 41 countries and regions. It featured equipment, systems and processes on innovations, and innovations management. Product packaging is a critical component of innovations and technology – it tells the story of the product, it affects perception, and it drives utility and value. The team also attended some learning sessions and met with DTI and Philippine Officials at the Philippine Investment Forum, namely Hon. Maria Emmanuelle Burgos (Attache of the Philippines in Thailand) and Mr. Robert Bastillo (President and CEO DTI Small Business Corp.).

Upon visiting Propak Asia 2023, UPLB officials saw the potential of UPLB participating in more of these trade fairs, as well as incorporating market acceptability and brand testing studies in several courses under CEAT, CEM, and CHE.

From L to R: Marie Emmanuelle Burgos (Attache of the Philippines in Thailand), AVC Jennifer Marie Sunga, Elizabeth Eala (Chief Admin Officer, Cashier’s Office), Marie Claire Raymundo (Chief Accountant)

DAY 3: Benchmarking at Dusit Thani College and Kasetsart University

Ideas and possible collaborations were discussed between UPLB and Dusit Thani College and UPLB and Kasetsart University. Dusit Thani College presented their international programs; while Kasetsart University imparted their policies and programs that create their own business entity (KUniverse), innovations and entrepreneurial platforms management. Future collaborations and/or partnerships with these institutions were also discussed.