Education is important to my country

Looking through the COVID-19 window of opportunity, a 4^th Year undergraduate of Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT) applied to take part in ‘From Gen Z to be CEO’ programme in 2021 and won them an ‘Outstanding scores’ award getting him a chance to join an internship in Vienna, Austria. “It is more than just a personal experience but also network of relationship. I hope I could make use of the value of education to transform my country.”

“I am glad to have the opportunity to have done an internship for three months at Office of Commercial Affairs in Vienna, Austria. ‘It is connectional, meaningful, and valuable’, said with his Duchenne smile, a 21-year-old Cambodian Menleng Ven, nicknamed, “Mai” who is an undergraduate of Fine and Applied Arts, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT)

Mai added, “After I finished my high-school at Preah Sihanouk in Kampong Cham, Cambodia, I got a Royal Scholarship under Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Education Project to the Kingdom of Cambodia to study in RMUTT in the Department of Interior Design, Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts. The reason I chose this major is because in Cambodia right now, there is a growing need of architects and personally I love architecture.”

“I didn’t take me too long to get used to Thailand. Thailand and my Combodia have a really close tie. We have a lot in common in terms of culture and traditions. From my personal experience, Thai people are very friendly and helpful. Talking about Thai language, it is not too hard to learn. Since day one in RMUTT, I pretty much enjoy all various activities organized by the university.

Unfortunately, after a couple of years, Covid 19 had spread rapidly and caused a global pandemic within a short period of time, I had to stay home doing nothing. Then I heard news from RMUTT that there is a ‘From Gen Z to be CEO’ programme, a training event that provides entrepreneurial skills to the younger generation as well as internship opportunities in at Office of Commercial Affairs in Vienna, Austria.”

He continued, “My time there is enjoyable. I don’t really have any language barriers since Cambodia is a place you practice English all time. I am confident with myself, ready to encounter in all situations. It’s all fun to experience the differences of culture and life of the east and the west. Regarding my internship in Austria, I got my chance to work in the back office and front office taking on the responsibility of collaborating with personnel in private and public organizations to organize events or activities on special occasions. I would also like to say something about my advisors at Office of Commercial Affairs in Vienna. They had been taking care of me so well since I stayed there. They gave me fun and challenging work experience collaborating with top 25 companies including Meister Strasse, which is a European online platform for selected craft products. I had also taken my part in “Private Viewing of Thai Artisan: KORAKOT & Thai Designers” event, a promotional event of Thai food businesses abroad “Thai SELECT”, 13^th MQ Vienna Fashion Week, a promotional event of Thai Homali Rice businesses in Slovenia, “Thai SELECT”, and Vienna Design District 1010. In addition, I also had special opportunities to be a collaborator between Office of Commercial Affairs in Vienna and the famous Korakot owner/designer and to visit Modeschule Hetzendorf Fashion School in Vienna.

“I will have to say that my experience as an intern in Vienna is just memorable. I learned so many things there including communication skills, methods and techniques for persuasion, problem-solving skills. I am very fortunate to work with Thai and Austrian professionals in various fields of work who have been given me all kinds of experience, in particular notions and methods of entrepreneurship.”

“I think, “One man, One Job” is the right concept for us now. Enabling to have a career in interior design may be good but not good enough, I also need to find myself another new career experience so I could further help my family. I was so lucky to be named winner of an internship in Austria. The opportunity that I have got is just remarkable. Thank you RMUTT and Office of Commercial Affairs for giving me the opportunity and experience for the way who I am now.”

“Hopefully, ‘From Gen Z to be CEO’ programme will be held continuously to provide an education and training environment in which young people are able to develop appropriate mindsets and skills for entrepreneurship. Winners of the competition will be able to do an internship with programme partners, top-notch companies and Thailand’s Office of Commercial Affairs around the world. Again, I really appreciate RMUTT’s support and guidance for three things, “Opportunity, Lesson, and Experience”. I truly believe that education is important for me to change my country” concluded Mai.