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 available here.
