Bangkok--11 Jan--PC& Associates Consulting
The Thailand Knowledge Park (TK Park) combined forces with Acer Computer Co., Ltd and Imagimax Co., Ltd in announcing winners for the "TK Park-Acer VR Game & PC Game Challenge 2006". Winners and their academic institutions will obtain cash and other prizes like computers and software, worth over Bt1,000,000. The winning entry for “Thai arts and culture” category is Ramayana Online created by students from King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, while the wining entry for “Thai lifestyle” category is Santhai developed by students from Rangsit University. This competition helps develop professionals and create jobs for 3D animation industry, and promote Thai arts, culture and tourism.
Dr. Sirikorn Maneerin, President of Thailand Knowledge Park mentioned that “TK Park has been playing a role as an informal educational place where it offers not only books and trainings but also activities related to cultures, arts, and IT. One of its missions is to promote lifelong learning habit among Thai youth.
Nowadays technology has a big impact in our daily life. The computer games in particular have also played an essential role in children’s life and their interests. Instead of showing the opposition to computer games, TK Park took this opportunity to turn the “users or players” to become “potential producers” for the world demand. In doing this, TK Park joined Acer Corporation, Imagimax and several Thai Cultural experts, such as Mr. Awut Gnernchuglin, in organizing ‘the TK Park — Acer VR Game & PC Game Challenge 2006’.
This project consisted of 3 parts: 3D Animation Training program for VR Game and PC Game opening for application during July — August 2006; Interactive seminar program for VR Game and PC Game lovers for students in 5 universities in Bangkok and 4 up-country universities during June — August 2006; and the Virtual Reality Digital Game Competition opening for application from April — September. The competition divided into 2 categories for students in university level and general public. The winner won cash prize of Baht 100,000 and one Acer notebook and the announcement was done on November 27, 2006 through www.tk-gamechallenge.com . It was challenging time for youth to create digital Thai products including multi-player games, graphic, programming and learned how to develop VR Game and PC Game inspired by Thai arts and culture.
The project also aimed to promote the development of computer game conceptualized in Thai arts and cultures including content, structure, potential design methods through young generation. In addition, it has a goal for Thailand of becoming one of the leading nations on digital content to compete in an international level.”
Mr. Nitipat Praweenwongwuthi, Senior Manager, Marketing Department, Acer Computer Co., Ltd. said, “As a main sponsor for the TK Park-Acer VR Game & PC Game Challenge 2006, Acer is proud to join this interesting initiative, which allows Thai developers to show their competency and create high-quality VR games, and helps promote HR development for computer game industry.”
“Taking part in judging all qualified entries, we have realized that Thai professionals have similar competencies in developing computer games to international developers.
All entries demonstrate high quality and creativity. It was difficult for us to determine the winners because most entries are compelling.”
Mr. Kriengkrai Supornsahasrungsi, General Manager of Imagimax Co., Ltd a leading animation and game studio, said, “By joining the TK Park-Acer VR Game & PC Game Challenge 2006 and judging all entries, we found that Thai professionals have significantly improved their skills and this competition allows them to demonstrate their talents, gain knowledge from seminars and win prizes. This initiative enables the Thai people to realize and understand the importance of game & animation industry to the society and produce high-quality works.”
About TK Park
The Thailand Knowledge Park (TK Park) is one of the seven agencies under the Office of Knowledge Management and Development, OKMD (a public organization). TK Park is originated from the desire to search for and management of knowledge, information and technology, which are so varied and rapidly changing in the present world which was inspired by His Excellency Police Lieutenant Colonel Thaksin Shinawatra, the Prime Minister, to prepare Thailand as a knowledge-based society.
The main objective of the establishment of TK Park is to provide an alternative learning channel for Thai children, which offers them a combination of books, activities, music and multi-media. TK Park also offers a platform for children to exchange ideas and experiences gained from the actual exercises, which will lead them on to the road of self-discovery in accordance with their own preferences and aptitudes.
With this objective in mind, the TK Park has been operating since January 24, 2005 on 6th floor, the Central World Plaza. There are multi-purpose areas which are conductive to learning with creative and fun atmosphere including:
1. Living Library provides unlimited knowledge and materials that can satisfy everyone’s learning needs and interests. There are over 10,000 books and magazines, both in Thai and English languages which you can enjoy reading at various positions, whether you are climbing a ladder, climbing book wall or lying down. In addition, there are quiet zone, kid’s room, internet corner, music corner and more for your enjoyment.
2. The Open Square zone where teenagers can really express their creative power and energy, which affords an opportunity for them to learn and sharpen their skills. They are able to boast their ability on the topics of their interests and take part in various activities such as TK workshop, TK Talk, TK Music, TK Show from both professional and amateur artists.
3. ICT Park consists of numerous world of knowledge under 4 e areas. There are e-Expo, an exhibition area for ICT knowledge and creativity of the youths and professional both Thais and foreigners. e-Training, a place for electronic learning and workshop and e-Technology, displayed the latest state-of-the-art soft ware and hard ware from well-known information system companies, plus e-Content, a learning center for electronic library.
4. TK Mini Theatre, a place to enjoy a range of exclusive films, plus experience another side of fun and excitement through another form of media about the world of films with Virtual Reality Technique, a combination of three-dimensional computer graphics and games.
5. TK Teen Shop, where you can find a wide range of TK Park souvenirs, such as bookmarks, books, pencil boxes, T-shirts and hats. Some will be designed from children’s imagination and creativity at reasonable prices.
Today the Thailand Knowledge Park (TK Park) situated on the 6th floor of Central World Plaza is a place of learning, which provides knowledge and information in a variety of forms, in a creative surrounding. From now on, a library will not only be a source of academic learning, but also a place where children and youth can experiment and express themselves. It will be a place that is open for new ideas and ways of thinking. Since the opening, there has been over 3,000 persons experiment the library, and over 1,000,000 persons in total. For more information, please contact: www.tkpark.or.th
About Acer
Acer ranks as the world's No. 4 branded PC vendor, designing easy, dependable IT solutions that empower people to reach their goals and enhance their life. Since spinning-off its manufacturing operation, Acer has focused on globally marketing its brand-name products: mobile and desktop PCs, servers and storage, LCD monitors and high-definition TVs, peripherals, and e-business solutions for business, government, education, and home users. Acer's unique Channel Business Model has been instrumental in the company's latest success. The model encourages partners and suppliers to collaborate in a winning formula of supply-chain management, allowing Acer to provide customers with fresh technologies, competitive pricing, and quality service. Established in 1976, Acer Inc. employs 5,600 people supporting dealers and distributors in more than 100 countries. Revenues in 2005 reached US$9.7 billion. Please visit www.acer.com .
Acer first penetrated the market in Thailand 1984, establishing an office in 1993. Acer Computer Co., Ltd. has been growing rapidly and is now widely recognized in Thailand. A major sponsor of the 13th Asian Games held in Bangkok in 1998, the company has been the recipient of The Reader’s Digest “Outstanding Brand Performance” for seven years. Moreover we have been ranking no. 1 notebook selling for 12 consecutive quarters (Y2003-present). For more information, please visit the Acer website at www.acer.co.th .
About Imagimax
Imagimax is the leading animation & design studio in Thailand and a true pioneer & innovator in the rapidly evolving Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) industry. Imagimax provides a full range of services including character development, storyboarding, layout, modeling, animation, lighting, texturing, editing, and compositing. With the experience of working with the international studios from Europe and the USA on 3D animation for TV series, movie games and graphic games for games studio in Japan, as well as domestic productions for Special Effects. for Thai featured film and Computer Graphic for the advertising industry. Imagimax is becoming one of the best animation studio where comprised of the best-trained and the experienced animation team in the country.
For more information please contact: Press Release issued by:
Ms Pattra Kijdamrongwinijgul PC& Associates Consulting Co., Ltd.
Marketing Executive Ms Sunisa Kaewthai
Acer Computer Co., Ltd. Tel: 0 2971 3711 Fax: 0 2521 9030
Tel: 0 2661 9700 Fax: 0 2661 9721 E-mail: [email protected]
E-mail: [email protected]
Click for photo release at www.thaipr.net