Bangkok--12 Feb--Dc Consultants
The 21st century is an era where technology progresses rapidly, particularly the information and communication technology (ICT). It is the reason why every part of society must join forces to promote ICT and digital media literacy among Thai children as well as offering them the opportunity to put their knowledge and abilities to good use for themselves and society. There are still many children who have technological skills but they lack relevant support and a chance to demonstrate their potential.
One of the projects that aim to educate and equip Thai children with insights into how to use current IT technologies effectively is the Thailand ICT Youth Challenge, a contest and youth camp which has continued for the fourth consecutive year in 2017 to encourage children to apply their creativity to different themes and media. The contest was categorized into three levels: 1. Elementary School where contestants make use of Microsoft PowerPoint under the theme of "Brand/Organization in the Future", 2. Junior High School where contestants made short films to express the theme of "Fuelling Imagination through Films", and 3. Senior High School with the theme of "Application for Organizations to Develop Further for Positive Image". There were 100 teams of children from all regions in Thailand compete to win scholarship prizes.
The project was supported by the Association of Thai ICT Industry (ATCI), Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, and a number of public and private organizations, including Summit Capital Leasing Co., Ltd. the leading motorcycle hire-purchase and personal loan services, which has given emphasis to technological development for optimum corporate efficiency. The company participated in the youth camp by holding a quiz games with prizes at its booth, providing enjoyable learning experiences with technology, and allowing the children to take part in putting promising ideas into actual practice in the company's operations.
Participating children were also impressed by new friendships they made with counterparts from different regions of Thailand who have different experiences and came together at the Thailand ICT Youth Challenge 2017 to share knowledge and brainstorm ways of making constructive use of technology.