WRITER: THE AU LIBRARY
Bangkok, Thailand — The Asia Pacific Institute for Events Management (APIEM) is proud to announce a landmark achievement in the realm of tourism education in Thailand. Dr. Scott Michael Smith, a university lecturer for nearly twenty years at Assumption University of Thailand (AU) has become the first APIEM Certified Tourism Educator in Thailand. This recognition marks a significant step in the professionalization of the tourism industry within the region and underscores the exceptional standards upheld by AU.
APIEM, founded in 2016, stands as Asia Pacific's leading professional institute for events education. APIEM’s mission is to advance the events and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry in the Asia Pacific through a series of strategic initiatives. These include:
Accrediting Centres of Excellence: Recognizing universities, polytechnics, colleges, and training providers that offer an undergraduate events/MICE curriculum meeting international standards.
Certified Event Management Courses: Providing high-quality education for event professionals through accessible online study.
Curriculum Development Consultancy: Assisting educational institutions in crafting international standard curriculums in events/MICE education.
Scholarly Publications: Contributing to academic discourse with texts such as "International Best Practice in Event Management" and "International Best Practice in Creative Event Design."
Professional Development Programs: Organizing international training sessions in the United Kingdom for faculty lecturers and industry professionals.
Global Conferences: Uniting events/MICE academics and practitioners at international gatherings.
Postgraduate Accreditation: Recognizing institutions offering postgraduate events, hospitality, or tourism curriculums of an international standard.
Professor David Hind, President of APIEM, has visited Dr. Scott’s classroom on multiple occasions, noting the exceptional level of student engagement and innovative teaching methodologies. "We are delighted to welcome Dr. Scott Smith to the APIEM family. His dedication to tourism education and his innovative teaching methods have set a high standard. His achievement as the first APIEM Certified Tourism Educator in Thailand is a testament to his commitment to excellence," said Prof. Hind.
Whether organizing events and training workshops in the hill tribes of Northern Thailand, the jungles of Southern Thailand, or in the Metaverse, Dr. Scott uses cutting-edge approaches like The 2030 SDGs Game or the latest technology platforms like iStaging to drive meaningful change in the industry. His dedication to fostering innovation and inspiring the next generation of tourism leaders is unwavering, as he continues to advance sustainable practices in tourism education.
In addition to his recent certification, Dr. Smith was among the first batch of facilitators trained in Thailand to lead the 2030 SDGs Game. The training program, held in Chiang Mai and led by international facilitator David Nevin and Takeshi Muranakar, co-founder of Imacocollabo, attracted some of the brightest minds in the field. Dr. Smith explains, “The 2030 SDGs Game is a fun and interactive way for participants to learn about sustainability, ownership, teamwork, and responsibility. This activity works well for classrooms or corporations.”
Dr. Smith’s recent research, "From Concept to Practice: Implementing Sustainable Tourism Development at Anurak Community Lodge in Thailand" published in the SCOPUS ranked Journal of Environmental Tourism and Management, explores the integration of responsible tourism practices into the business model of Anurak Community Lodge and their parent company, YAANA Ventures. His work combines field research, in-depth interviews, and guest surveys to provide a comprehensive view of sustainable tourism practices.
Dr. Smith’s contributions extend beyond academic research, with notable presentations and collaborations emphasizing responsible tourism and community happiness. His case study, "Asian Oasis—Mythical Journeys in the Hill Tribe Villages of Northern Thailand" is widely recognized and used in classrooms globally. Additionally, his collaboration on "Planet Happiness: a Proposition to Address Overtourism and Guide Responsible Tourism, Happiness, Well-being and Sustainability in World Heritage Sites and Beyond" provides resources to guide tourism development towards sustainability.
Dr. Smith has also served as the Director of Young SKAL Bangkok for nearly two decades, creating networking opportunities for future leaders and young professionals in the tourism industry and building bridges between industry and academia.
APIEM extends heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Scott Michael Smith on this remarkable achievement. We look forward to the positive impact this will have on tourism and events education in Thailand and beyond.
More Information about Assumption University of Thailand (AU), please visit:
Website: https://www.au.edu/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/assumptionuniversity
Twitter: https://twitter.com/assumptionu
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/assumptionu
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBArL_dL5XiXCiS5pDtyLpQ
Tel: (66) 0-2783-2222
