From classroom to career: adaptive transformation of higher education through work-based learning

This study explores the implementation of work-based learning (WBL) in Thailand’s higher education system and compared from selected Indonesian universities that practice Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) models through a case study of the Panyapiwat Institute of Management (PIM), a corporate university recognized by Thailand’s ONESQA for its academic quality and innovation. The objective was to examine how PIM applies the WBL model to enhance student learning outcomes and workforce readiness. A qualitative methodology was employed, including participatory observation; semi-structured interviews with faculty, administrators, and students; and analysis of institutional documents provided by informants. The findings indicate that PIM operates under a “Learning and Working with Real Life Experience” model, integrating academic and workplace learning in a structured semester format with three months of classroom instruction, followed by three months of real job experience. This model fosters the development of practical skills, leadership, and entrepreneurial capability. Importantly, these work placements are not position replacements but are designed for experiential learning and personal growth. PIM also offers robust support for career development and student-start-up initiatives. This study contributes to the literature on experiential education and provides a model for effective WBL implementation. This offers policy implications for Indonesian universities seeking to improve graduate employability through integrated academic and professional training programs.