International School of Tourism Strengthens Cooperative Education Readiness Network for the 2026 Academic Year
Enhancing students’ professional and workplace competencies while strengthening collaboration among the university, industry partners, alumni networks and partner organisations.
24 July 2026
Dipangkorn Rasmijoti Building, Suratthani Rajabhat University
The International School of Tourism, Suratthani Rajabhat University, organised the Cooperative Education Readiness Network Project for the 2026 Academic Year to prepare students before their cooperative education placements and strengthen partnerships that support learning through authentic workplace experience.
Higher education in tourism, hospitality and service-related fields must equip learners with both specialised expertise and competencies that can be applied in an international working environment. Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) and cooperative education therefore serve as important mechanisms for connecting classroom knowledge with professional experience in the workplace.
This approach supports students in developing academic knowledge, intellectual abilities, interpersonal and professional skills, responsibility and competencies that correspond with the needs of domestic and international labour markets.
The International School of Tourism recognises the importance of preparing students before their cooperative education placements, while also establishing and strengthening relationships with employers, alumni networks and partner organisations at regional and international levels.
Effective cooperative education depends not only on student preparedness, but also on a strong network of collaboration that enables stakeholders to jointly determine directions, exchange knowledge, share information about labour-market needs and support effective workplace supervision.
Preparing Students and Strengthening Collaborative Networks
Developing Hard and Soft Skills
Strengthening professional expertise, communication, teamwork, problem-solving and adaptability before students enter an authentic workplace environment.
Exchanging Labour-Market Information
Providing a platform for exchanging information about competencies, characteristics and skills required by employers to support relevant student development.
Expanding Collaborative Partnerships
Connecting the university with leading employers, alumni networks and partner organisations at regional and international levels.
Enhancing Cooperative Education
Supporting shared planning, knowledge exchange and effective workplace supervision to respond to the needs of both students and employers.
The project serves as a central platform connecting the university and industry stakeholders. It encourages participants to exchange perspectives and information that can contribute to student development, cooperative education planning and the preparation of future professionals for the tourism and hospitality industries.
Expanding partnerships with leading employers also supports access to meaningful workplace experience, enables students to apply their knowledge in authentic professional contexts and increases their future employment opportunities after graduation.
The International School of Tourism remains committed to developing learning systems that connect education with employment, enhance graduate quality and prepare students to work professionally in diverse domestic and international environments.
From Classroom Learning to Professional Experience
Preparing students for cooperative education while building networks that support learning, competency development and future career opportunities.
Alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals
The Cooperative Education Readiness Network Project for the 2026 Academic Year contributes to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
| SDG Goal | Goal | Connection to the Project |
|---|---|---|
|
SDG 4 Quality Education |
Promotes education that integrates academic learning with authentic workplace experience and develops professional, intellectual and interpersonal skills relevant to the tourism and hospitality industries. |
|
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth |
Prepares students with hard and soft skills that correspond with labour-market requirements and supports their transition into employment and professional careers after graduation. |
|
SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals |
Strengthens collaboration among the university, employers, alumni networks and regional and international partner organisations to enhance student development, exchange labour-market information and improve cooperative education implementation. |
