DGBS Hosts Business Excellence Programme

…Emphasizes Happiness as a Catalyst for Productivity within its MBA HR Business Framework

Docenti Global Business School (DGBS) recently hosted its Business Excellence Program themed “The Happy Workplace: Helping Employees Connect Their Daily Tasks to a Larger Meaningful Mission,” bringing together academics, professionals, and corporate leaders to examine how happiness in the workplace directly influences productivity, engagement, and organizational performance.

The programme delivered as part of Docenti Global Business School’s MBA Human Resources academic framework, was designed to explore workplace happiness in depth and demonstrate how emotionally healthy environments enhance organizational output, leadership effectiveness, and employee commitment.

Present at the session were Dean of Docenti Global Business School and Vice President of Bodhisattva University, Pradit Withisuphakorn; Executive Principal of Docenti Global Business School, Humphrey Akanazu; Associate Professor and Dean of the School of Human Resource Development Management at National Institute of Development Administration Juthamas Keawpijit, who delivered the keynote address; and Managing Director and CEO of Crown Pay, Stephen Abah, who moderated the session.

Proceedings commenced with Holland Keawpijit, a PhD candidate, introducing Professor Juthamas Keawpijit.

During her introduction, Holland noted that the School of Human Resource Development Management, NIDA is celebrating its 35th anniversary, describing the journey as “a really great journey, learning with international experts,” and adding that she has made many international friends from the Philippines, India, and other countries.

She explained that students are taught by professional professors from the UK and USA, many of whom are CEOs and company managers.

“We get to learn from each other and we learn from different perspectives; how we deal with people. Even AI cannot replace human features like empathy and emotional intelligence,” she said, stressing that despite advances in artificial intelligence, human qualities remain irreplaceable.

In her keynote address, Keawpijit revealed that since 2012 she has conducted extensive research on happiness in the workplace, a concept that has evolved over time into wellbeing at work.

She also carried out interactive exercises during the session to assess the happiness levels of participants.

She explained that in Thailand, workplace happiness is treated with utmost seriousness, supported by a dedicated public agency that promotes wellbeing among workers.

Reflecting on her landmark research, she said: “Back then, I studied 102 organizations. We did this to gather enough data on how the workspace is being handled. I spent a whole year visiting these organizations across Thailand.”

She added: “I carried out a survey asking questions like: ‘What makes them happy in their workspace? What kind of things do they do that make them happy at work? What are the key success factors?’ Among these 102 organizations, about 20 percent were no longer happy with their jobs.”

Keawpijit described happiness as fluid rather than constant. “I think happiness is like a snapshot. I don’t think everyone can be happy every day.

Sometimes you feel down, sometimes you feel the world is not fair, sometimes you feel your team doesn’t understand you. The more work you do, the less value you feel you contribute.

This happens in our lives from time to time, especially during midlife crisis or when you become a manager,” she said, noting that these realities motivated her continued research and collaboration with Jaiga to further examine workplace happiness.

She explained that her studies covered Thailand’s east, west, north, south, and Bangkok, comparing regions to determine where people felt happiest and least happy.

She also reviewed earlier studies, including the 4D research model, which categorized happiness across different eras.

According to her, from 1984 to 2001 happiness was largely viewed as an individual life experience, with some people naturally happier than others.

She further observed how external interactions can quickly influence emotional wellbeing: “You can be the happiest person in the world, but have a conversation with someone who gives a negative attitude or doesn’t like you, and it can give you a bad day. It can make you upset or anxious.”

Her research led to the development of the Being, Becoming, and Belonging Model, which focuses on three pillars of workplace happiness.

She explained, “If you are in the right place, under the right leadership, and in the right job, you are going to be very happy in the workplace.”

Professor Keawpijit also shared the practical impact of the framework, noting its successful implementation within Thailand’s prison system.

“We have implemented the Happy Workplace Framework in Thai prisons, and we have been able to get good results. The prisoners are more relaxed, and this has led to more productivity,” she said.

Commending her presentation, Dean of Docenti Global Business School, Professor Pradit Withisuphakorn, described her as an outstanding lecturer and said she is on her way to becoming a full professor.

“I remember my first time in Nigeria when a Nigerian Ambassador said I was a friend of Nigeria so Professor, you are a friend of Nigeria now,” he remarked.

He added: “Today you talked extensively, and I must say I am impressed. I learned a lot from your presentation. It is a norm because NIDA is like a think tank; we are the think tank of government and we really hope that she visits Nigeria soon.”

He remarked that by recommending her expertise globally: “If you want to have a successful workplace in any part of the world, you have to contact Professor Juthamas. She is the best option for good consulting.”

Closing the session with a vote of thanks, Executive Principal of Docenti Global Business School, Professor Humphrey Akanazu, expressed appreciation to all speakers and participants for making the programme a success and emphasized that workplace happiness represents a growing frontier in human resource development, particularly in Nigeria.

“Happiness in the workspace is a new area of concentration in HR development, and I’m confident that Nigeria needs this more,” he said.

He highlighted the prison case study as especially impactful, noting, “She made a comment that drew my attention; when she stated that the happy workplace framework has been implemented in Thai prisons.”

She showed us some of the products from the Thai prison through this framework and what they were able to achieve with prisoners who are now more relaxed, leading to more productivity.”

He added, “I must say that I’m impressed by this framework, and I hope it is more implemented in Nigeria.”

The Business Excellence Programme ended on a strong note, reinforcing Docenti Global Business School’s message that happiness, empathy, and emotional intelligence are no longer optional workplace values but strategic tools for sustainable productivity and organizational success.