Phuket Vocational College hosts Thai-Korean AI youth exchange initiative

Phuket Vocational College hosted the ‘Thai-Korean Cultural Exchange 2026 Youth Future Challenge Project with AI Project’ on May 25, bringing together students, educators and officials from Thailand and South Korea.

The event was led by Phuket Vocational College Director Dr Wittaya Ketuchu and Phuket Honorary Consul Tosaporn Thepbut, who welcomed a delegation headed by Mr OK Oun OK, director of the Student Education Center under the Jeollanam-do Office of Education in South Korea.

Representatives of educational institutions, teachers, students and invited guests from both countries attended, along with the deputy president of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation and the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Korea in Phuket. Executives from Yamaha Music School Phuket and the International School of Dance also joined the opening ceremony.

The project was organised to promote language, cultural and technological learning through exchange activities between Thai and South Korean students, with a focus on artificial intelligence and future workforce skills. About 70 participants joined activities including AI and technology idea exchanges, cultural performances, workshops and exhibition booths.

Dr Wittaya said the college was honoured to host the South Korean delegation and expressed hope the exchange would strengthen long-term ties between Thailand and South Korea while giving students international experience.

College officials said the initiative is part of a broader partnership between Phuket Vocational College and South Korean institutions that began at policy level in 2021 and has expanded into education and vocational training programmes.

One of those programmes is the ASEAN-ROK TVET Mobility Programme, under which Phuket Vocational College has coordinated curriculum management, student selection from ASEAN member countries and placements with hospitality businesses in Phuket. Officials said 65 participants have benefited from that programme so far.

The college has also worked with Suncheon Hyosan High School on online and in-person exchanges in food, arts, culture and tourism, while its collaboration with Yeungjin University has focused on teaching development, research and exchanges of educational personnel.

Officials said the continuing partnerships are intended to help raise Thai vocational education to international standards and prepare students and teachers for a more technology-driven global labour market.