Media Release
Singapore Management University (SMU) Champions Women in Tech Leadership: Driving Innovation in Thailand’s Digital Economy
SMU showcases the achievements of female leaders in the technology sector and reaffirms its commitment to driving innovation and leadership in Thailand.
Bangkok, 14 March, 2025 – As Thailand’s digital economy continues to grow and contribute to Southeast Asia’s projected $1 trillion digital market by 2030, women’s leadership in technology has never been more crucial. Recognising this, Singapore Management University (SMU) hosted an event in Bangkok titled “Leadership in Tech: AI Ethics, Data Governance, and the Power of Community”—a platform to celebrate and equip female leaders in Thailand’s tech industry.
SMU, one of Asia’s leading universities in technology and business education, has observed a growing number of women entering the tech sector. At the School of Computing and Information Systems, female student enrolment continues to increase—a reflection of the growing recognition of opportunities in the tech sector among women.
During the event, Professor Sun Sun Lim, Vice President, Partnerships & Engagement, and Lee Kong Chian Professor of Communication and Technology at Singapore Management University, led a keynote session on “AI Ethics and Data Governance in the Asian Context.” In her address, Professor Lim examined the social impact of technology, the future of work, AI ethics and highlighted how ASEAN countries can effectively harness AI to serve its 673 million consumers by establishing governance frameworks that prioritise a human-centric approach.
Empowering Women Leaders in Thailand’s Tech Ecosystem
The event also featured a panel discussion on “The Power of Mentorship & Community in Thailand’s Tech Sector.” Joining Professor Lim on the panel were Sirikun Loetsakwiman, Founder of KCX Earth and People Lab; Kanokkorn Prasongthanakit, Co-Founder & CEO of Davoy.tech and SMU Master of IT in Business (MITB) alumna (2018); Pabpreng Liengsuk, Programme Director at Techsauce; Woranush Waruttamapornsu, Global Salesforce Performance Manager at a global healthcare company; and Celine Kuok, Director of SMU Overseas Centre Bangkok.
“Female leaders bring invaluable perspectives to the tech industry, ensuring that products and services cater to a diverse audience. As tech solutions impact society at large, it is essential to have leadership teams that represent all demographics,” said Professor Lim. “Women in tech play a key role in fostering an environment that supports growth in technology-driven fields.”
The discussion highlighted the positive transformation of Thailand’s tech industry, with more women stepping into leadership roles. “It’s inspiring to see more young women recognising the vast opportunities in technology beyond coding,” said Kanokkorn Prasongthanakit. “They are now leading in areas like online trust and safety, research, and policy development.”
The panellists emphasised the importance of communication and confidence in driving change within the Asian context, as well as the role of mentorship and representation in inspiring more women to take leadership roles in the industry. “You cannot be what you cannot see,” Professor Lim emphasised. “When young Thai women see strong female leaders in tech, it empowers them to pursue careers in this field.”
Expansion of SMU’s Overseas Centre in Thailand
SMU’s decision to establish an overseas centre in Thailand aligns with its strategy to serve as a hub of thought leadership for Southeast Asia. This initiative aims to provide skills training in key areas such as cybersecurity, wealth management and venture financing to support Thailand’s talent development.
“Thailand has a vibrant economy with a strong focus on education and a young population eager to upskill. We want to be part of this journey to support talent development and innovation in the country,” said Celine Kuok, Director of SMU’s Overseas Centre Bangkok. “Recognising Thailand’s potential and strong emphasis on education, we are strengthening our presence in the country with our Overseas Centre in Bangkok.”
SMU is also collaborating with Chulalongkorn University and Chiang Mai University to support Thailand’s startup ecosystem. By fostering cross-border entrepreneurship and knowledge exchange, SMU is equipping Thai entrepreneurs with the expertise to scale their businesses across ASEAN.
Building Thailand’s Future Tech Leaders through Education
Professor Lim highlighted how SMU’s industry-relevant master’s programmes can help equip young Thai professionals with the expertise they need to succeed, through its innovative seminar learning style and emphasis on experiential learning.
One programme highlighted is the Master of IT in Business (MITB) programme, ranked 2nd in Asia and 24th worldwide in the 2025 QS Global Master’s in Business Analytics Rankings. It explores the integration of business and Infocomm Technology, with specialisations in Financial Technology & Analytics, Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation. Another programme is the Master of Science in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MEI), designed to nurture Asia’s next generation of innovative and entrepreneurial leaders to drive business success in the ASEAN region and beyond.
This year is particularly significant for prospective applicants as SMU celebrates its 25th anniversary by offering up to 40% tuition fee support for enrolment in 2025. Use the calculator to discover how much you can save on your journey toward a brighter future. More information is available here.
[Panel Discussion: “The Power of Mentorship & Community in Thailand’s Tech Sector” (From left to right) Sirikun Loetsakwiman, Founder of KCX Earth and People Lab; Pabpreng Liengsuk, Programme Director at Techsauce; Professor Sun Sun Lim, Vice President, Partnerships & Engagement at Singapore Management University; Woranush Waruttamapornsuk; Kanokkorn Prasongthanakit, Co-Founder & CEO of Davoy.tech; and Celine Kuok, Director of SMU Overseas Centre Bangkok.]
[SMU’s Professor Sun Sun Lim emphasises the importance of a human-centred approach during her keynote session, “AI Ethics and Data Governance in the Asian Context.”]
[Professor Sun Sun Lim, Lee Kong Chian Professor of Communication & Technology, Vice President Partnerships and Engagement, Singapore Management University]
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About Singapore Management University
A premier university in Asia, SMU is internationally recognised for its world-class research and distinguished teaching. Established in 2000, SMU’s mission is to generate leading-edge research with global impact and to produce broad-based, creative, and entrepreneurial leaders for the knowledge-based economy. SMU’s education is known for its highly interactive, collaborative, and project-based approach to learning.
Home to over 13,000 students across undergraduate, postgraduate professional and postgraduate research programmes, SMU comprises eight schools: School of Accountancy, Lee Kong Chian School of Business, School of Economics, School of Computing and Information Systems, Yong Pung How School of Law, School of Social Sciences, College of Integrative Studies, and College of Graduate Research Studies. SMU offers a wide range of bachelors’, masters’, and PhD degree programmes in the disciplinary areas associated with its schools, as well as in multidisciplinary combinations of these areas.
SMU emphasises rigorous, high-impact, multi- and interdisciplinary research that addresses Asian issues of global relevance. SMU faculty members collaborate with leading international researchers and universities around the world, as well as with partners in the business community and public sector. SMU’s city campus is a modern facility located in the heart of downtown Singapore, fostering strategic linkages with business, government, and the wider community.
SMU celebrates its 25 years of meaningful impact this year, and remains committed to its vision of driving innovation, transcending boundaries and transforming lives. www.smu.edu.sg
About SMU Overseas Centre Bangkok
The Singapore Management University (SMU) Overseas Centre Bangkok (OCB) serves as a strategic hub for fostering knowledge exchange, strengthening partnerships, and expanding SMU’s presence in Thailand and the wider region. Established in October 2023, OCB reinforces SMU’s commitment to bridging Asia and the world through education, research, and industry collaboration.
As part of SMU’s network of Overseas Centres, OCB provides a single point of contact for students, faculty, and partners, enabling seamless engagement with Thailand’s business, academic, and policy communities. It plays a key role in advancing human capital development and lifelong learning, facilitating thought leadership, and supporting initiatives that drive social and economic impact.
Through strategic partnerships and thought leadership advocacy, OCB will actively contribute to Thailand’s social and economic progress and in the process enhance SMU’s brand and reputation as Asia’s premier global city university.
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