MBA students won the first prize in the global operations management simulation competition.

Monday 19 May 2025

     Graduate students from the MBA program at Thammasat Business School won the first prize in the Operation Simulation Competition 2025, a global operational management simulation game competition organized by the MIT Sloan School of Management, with 71 teams participating from 29 leading universities around the world.

     The ‘MVP tbs team,’ consisting of Wichuda Trakulpraelai, Warit Thaveewattanasomboon, and Chayanon Panavejsanti, secured first place and a $1,500 prize in the Operation Simulation Competition.

OpsSim 2025 Challenge: Medica Business Case

     The Thammasat Business School MBA program secured its fourth global championship title at the Operation Simulation Competition 2025, organized by MIT Sloan, outperforming 71 teams from 29 universities. The winning ‘MVP tbs team’ demonstrated exceptional skills in managing a medical product manufacturing facility, tackling production planning, procurement, inventory, and fluctuating market demands. Their strategies involved proactive adjustments based on real-time data and simulations, agile decision-making, advance planning, and flexible teamwork, ultimately maximizing profitability through consistent price optimization and proactive inventory management.

Pursuing MBA at ‘Thammasat’

     Chayanon: The MBA program at Thammasat teaches us to view business in a systematic manner, understanding the interconnections between various functions such as marketing, finance, operations, and strategy. It also trains us in strategic analysis, decision-making under uncertainty, and collaboration with diverse individuals, which gives us a significant competitive advantage in this endeavor.

     Wichuda: It enables us to effectively apply existing data and knowledge to real-life situations. The curriculum is not limited to theoretical concepts in textbooks but emphasizes training through realistic simulations, allowing us to make decisions confidently, thoughtfully, and from multiple perspectives. We can connect lessons with real experiences and systematically analyze and strategize using knowledge from various disciplines.

     Warit: The MBA program at Thammasat University emphasizes comprehensive learning through case studies and practical applications in business scenarios, which helps to provide a clear overview of business management. Many subjects studied, including inventory management, machinery management, financial analysis, and marketing strategies, can be effectively applied and adapted to the OpsSim competition. The opportunity to apply this knowledge in simulations that closely resemble real business environments is a crucial factor that enabled our team to win the championship in this competition.

Enhancing Real-World Skills

     Chayanon: Skills in data analysis for decision-making and risk management are essential because, in real life, the business world is constantly changing, much like this game. The ability to accurately analyze situations and adapt to uncertainties is the key to long-term success.

     Wichuda: Leveraging 50 days of historical data—financial, inventory, and production (Custom/Standard)—provides a comprehensive understanding of the company's condition and reveals trend-aligned behaviors. Analyzing this holistic view, instead of isolated data points, enables the development of proactive contingency plans for swift responses to unexpected changes.

     Warit: Developed skills in systematic thinking, strategic analysis, and decision-making under pressure, applicable in dynamic business environments with incomplete information are applied, along with enhanced long-term planning, risk assessment, and team communication skills which are crucial for successful business management.

Additionally, TBS has secured a place in the Top 10 with another 4 teams, namely: 

     1.Team TBS_Teletubbies (MBA) won the second runner-up, receiving a prize of $750, consisting of Chanthawath Kantichaikhajorn, Nattawat Ruangchaijaturaporn, Sitthiwit Lerttanapan, and Attakorn Sermsap. 

     2. Team TBS_AM (BBA) ranked 7th, consisting of Arisa Tanthawichian. 

     3. Team TBS_JustWarmUP (MBA) ranked 8th, consisting of Narapat Patcharapornpan, Kritsada Prasertburanakul, and Nichanant Tantasirin. 

     4. Team 8E88 (MBA) ranked 9th, consisting of Suphachai Dentrairat, Komsan Nawakhunsuchart, Sutthilak Siangwattana, and Thatchai Kietruangkhamala. 

     The MBA program at Thammasat has previously won the world championship in 2016, 2021, and 2024, and this year marks the fourth time that TBS has achieved global victory, reflecting the international standards of excellence at Thammasat University, which nurtures future leaders in steering sustainable business directions in the ASEAN region.