Explore Land of Smiles: IDADM Students Reimagined Craftsmanship in the Era of Innovation
From May 9-17, 2026, 52 Year 2 students from the Interdisciplinary Data Analytics and X Double Major Programme (IDADM) ventured beyond the classroom through an immersive field trip organised by the Office of Co-operative Education Programme (Co-op@CUHK). The trip provided unique opportunities for students to engage directly with industry practitioners, researchers and academics, gaining valuable exposure to real-world business challenges, technological innovation and cross-cultural perspectives.
Students travelled to Bangkok for a nine-day consulting project in collaboration with VT Garment, a Thai garment manufacturer of sportswear and outerwear for international brands. Drawing on real business challenges, students applied their data analytics expertise to address three key strategic issues faced by the Thai garment industry:
Students were divided into six groups, with two groups assigned to each case. Through a company visit, consultation sessions and extensive desktop research, the teams developed and presented strategic recommendations to a judging panel comprising industry professionals, government representatives and academics. Their work no doubt reflected strong analytical thinking, data-driven reasoning, as well as teamwork, creativity and resilience.
A highlight of the field trip was the visit to VT Garment’s production facilities, where students gained first-hand insights into modern manufacturing operations and learned how a family-owned business embraced innovation to stay competitive in a fast-changing market. The trip also included a seminar at Thammasat University, where students explored the relationship between culture and innovation, fostering deeper reflection on economic development and competitiveness in Southeast Asia.
The field trip served as a platform for students to realise how interdisciplinary knowledge could be translated into practice. The experience not only enhanced their core competencies in analytical and communication skills but also cultivated a broader understanding of industry trends and future opportunities in an increasingly interconnected world.
This Bangkok field trip once again demonstrated the value of experiential and collaborative learning in preparing students for the future workplace. It has been particularly encouraging to witness the growth and professionalism demonstrated by our students throughout the field trip. The judging panel was also impressed by the students’ performances and presentations. Their feedback was captured on video and can be viewed below.