Panyapiwat Institute of Management (PIM) was officially founded on March 9, 2007, based on the vision of Mr. Korsak Chairasmisak, CEO of CP All Plc. and founder of PIM. His aim was to provide opportunities for the younger generation through an innovative approach to higher education, distinct from traditional Thai educational systems.

          At that time, undergraduate programs in Thailand primarily focused on theoretical classroom learning throughout the course of study. Some programs offered cooperative education, where students would gain work experience during the final semester. However, from its inception, PIM adopted the Work-based Learning (WBL) model, reducing classroom-based subjects and increasing internship subjects in real-world business environments. PIM’s undergraduate programs integrated internships at companies throughout each academic year. Additionally, PIM invited business professionals to teach in classrooms, helping students connect theoretical knowledge with practical work experience. This approach aimed to produce graduates ready to enter the workforce immediately (Ready to Work).

          As PIM was established as the corporate university for CP All Plc., its early focus was on producing graduates primarily for CP All’s affiliated companies. The first program offered by PIM’s Faculty of Business Administration combined classroom learning with internships at CP All’s 7-Eleven stores and other business units. The WBL model during this time was structured so that students alternated weekly between classroom learning and internships. However, the high demands of balancing both classroom and work led to a significant dropout rate in the first year. In response, PIM gathered feedback from stakeholders and students, resulting in a restructuring of the WBL format. Each semester was divided into blocks, where one group of students would study during the first block and then intern in the second, while the other group did the reverse. PIM also established a Student Development Office to provide skills training for workplace internships and address challenges during the internships. This adjustment enabled students to adapt to the WBL system, leading to improved learning outcomes, and the Faculty of Business Administration continues to implement this model.

          PIM later expanded its educational offerings to develop professionals for industries beyond CP All. New faculties were established, including the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Faculty of Management Science to serve the hospitality and service sectors, the Faculty of Engineering and Technology to meet the demands of the technology-driven industrial sector, and the Faculty of Education (now the Faculty of Creative Education Management) to address modern educational needs. The WBL model used by the Faculty of Business Administration was adapted to suit the requirements of each faculty, successfully producing work-ready graduates for various industries.

          In 2013, PIM analyzed the key factors contributing to the success of the WBL approach and identified three essentials for successful implementation: (1) strong academic instruction, (2) research aligned with industry needs and its integration into teaching, and (3) a robust network of partner organizations to provide students with sufficient internship opportunities across various fields. This reflection led to the formalization of the “PIM Work-based Education (WBE)” model, which was officially registered with the Department of Intellectual Property under the Ministry of Commerce in December 2015. Since then, WBE has been the guiding framework for all academic programs at PIM, ensuring the continued production of work-ready graduates.