'AP Thailand' Holds Orientation for 50 Interns in 'AP Open House 2018' Program, Batch 3

Hands-on training for two months prepares students for real work in an era of technological disruption, instilling the concept of 'Design Thinking' to cultivate a systematic deep thinking process.

Bangkok (June 28, 2018) – Recently, AP Academy, led by Mr. Anupong Asavapokin, CEO of AP (Thailand) Public Company Limited, a leader in real estate development in Thailand, welcomed students and expert faculty representatives from leading educational institutions in Thailand for the orientation of the AP Open House 2018 (Batch 3). This program aims to provide participating students with a broad vision and a systematic deep thinking process by incorporating the Design Thinking process from Stanford University into the curriculum, preparing these students to become quality personnel in the real estate industry, ready to face comprehensive changes and to gain practical experience through simulated work life, with close guidance from experts.

#Terraads The internship program of AP Open House 2018 this year has been intensified in response to the changing dynamics of the real estate business. AP focuses on developing students to have a systematic deep thinking process by integrating the Design Thinking process from Stanford University into the curriculum, divided into two main internship programs: Civil Engineering Program with 30 participants covering all aspects of real estate development and Marketing and Sales Program with 20 participants, which will allow students to learn the comprehensive working processes in the real estate business. Upon completion of the program, students will receive a certificate from AP Academy, and four outstanding interns will have the opportunity to study and observe work in Japan with Mitsubishi Jisho Residence (a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Estate Group), a leading comprehensive real estate development company in Japan and a business partner of AP, to learn about work beyond what they have learned from experts in Thailand.

Mr. Anupong Asavapokin, the leader of AP, stated, “The onset of the digital era has rapidly changed everything (Digital Disruption). I often ask, 'What do we want to do, and how can we do it better?' and leverage the digital expertise of the new generation in our organization to create convenience, speed, and increased efficiency. AP must adapt just like other businesses, which is why we decided to collaborate with Stanford University, the world's top institution for innovation. AP is confident in using the Design Thinking process from Stanford to impart knowledge to the interns, hoping that the thinking process we share will be a long-term tool for them.”

Design Thinking is a design-centered thinking process that deeply understands various problems with the customer at the center. This thinking process is divided into five steps: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test, to innovate solutions that meet customer needs. The creators of this process believe that every organization needs creative thinkers to drive progress, thus developing a systematic approach to producing creative ideas, enabling everyone to generate creativity step by step.

Professor Uthai Rit Rojanavipat, head of the Civil Engineering Department at King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, expressed, “I am very impressed with AP's Open House program. It is a specialized internship program that aligns with career paths, allowing participants to gain real work experience and learn from experts. This program stands out for providing hands-on experience, which is a rare opportunity in the classroom. As a professor, I recognize its importance because not only do students from both programs get to try working in their respective fields, but they also discover their true career aspirations.”

Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Vikrom Panichkar, a lecturer from the Faculty of Engineering, Civil Engineering Department at Kasem Bundit University, stated, “I am very impressed to see our students participating in such a great program. From last year, students from our faculty participated and I witnessed their clear transformation. They became more confident in expressing their opinions in class and were willing to share their different perspectives, which changed the classroom atmosphere. Everyone cooperated and interacted with the instructors. This program helps elevate the quality standards of the students, and even after completing the internship, they continue to apply the learning methods they practiced in real life, benefiting their classmates as well.”

Associate Professor Chuenjit Jangjaengkit, a lecturer from the Faculty of Business Administration, Marketing Department at Kasetsart University, remarked, “This is a great opportunity for students to develop themselves with a leading real estate business like AP, allowing them to study the comprehensive workings of the business. AP operates comprehensively, from land development to project management after delivery. Bringing students from different fields to work together opens new perspectives, as they must understand that developing a business is not solely about one’s own field; it requires knowledge and expertise from various professions. This internship program fosters understanding and learning to work together, which is something AP excels at.”

Mr. Puriphat Limwattananon, a representative of civil engineering students from Mahidol University, said, “I liked this program from the moment I saw the curriculum because AP clearly outlined what we would do each day during the internship. It guarantees that we will gain practical experience relevant to our studies, unlike internships at other companies where we might not get a complete experience. I am very impressed that AP values the new generation like us.”

Ms. Wilawan Laongdee, a representative of marketing and sales students from Chulalongkorn University, stated, “I didn’t hesitate at all when AP came to provide information at the university; I applied immediately because I had talked to seniors who participated in the program, and they recommended it. It’s a great opportunity to work with AP and gain hands-on experience in the field. Since my family is in the interior decoration business, I wanted to learn how a large organization operates and develop myself in my field of study. Today, on the first day of orientation, I felt the friendliness and received excellent care and guidance from the seniors at AP. I am grateful to AP for providing such a great opportunity.”

AP Open House is an opportunity for students to train and learn real work processes, aiming to apply knowledge and theory to real work situations and learn to collaborate with others, gaining valuable experiences and, importantly, the camaraderie of the AP team and friendships among peers who are future engineers, marketers, and salespeople of Thailand.

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