PMU-B hosts “Play Fun Fest: CODING ERA”to foster coding skills in Thai youth and build a future-ready workforce
- สำนักงานคณะประสานงานคลัสเตอร์ บพค.
- Jan 14, 2024
- 3 min read
PMU-B Organizes “Play Fun Fest: CODING ERA”Accelerating efforts to equip Thai children with essential coding skills for the digital age, laying the foundation for developing a high-competency workforce aligned with national demands.
Bangkok – Coding has become a critical future skill emphasized worldwide, laying the foundation for children and youth to develop systematic thinking and problem-solving abilities essential for the 21st century. In Thailand, both public and private sectors recognize the urgency of instilling coding literacy to prepare the next generation for the digital world.
To support this vision, the Program Management Unit for Human Resources and Institutional Development, Research and Innovation (PMU-B), under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), in collaboration with Central Rama 9, organized Play Fun Fest: CODING ERA 2024 from January 12–14, 2024, at the Work & Play Zone, 1st Floor, Central Rama 9.
The event aimed to promote foundational skills in STEM and coding, nurturing Thai youth into future-ready, high-skill professionals in line with national workforce demands.
Associate Professor Dr. Weerapong Pairsuwan, Chair of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Science and Chair of the PMU-B Executive Board, presided over the opening of the event and stated:
“The Play Fun Fest: PMU-B Coding Era 2024 showcases a key ‘Quick Win’ initiative by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation. It serves as a gift of learning and joy for children and youth on National Children's Day. The event promotes essential future skills in Coding, AI, and Robotics, preparing young people to become Smart Citizens for the Digital Economy. It also raises public awareness, strengthens digital-age competencies, and fosters national collaboration among researchers to support the development of a skilled workforce aligned with national policies and needs.”
Professor Dr. Sompong Klainongsuang, Director of the Program Management Unit for Human Resources and Institutional Development, Research and Innovation (PMU-B), further stated:
“PMU-B’s support for developing a high-competency workforce in Coding and AI is based on the Play-Learn-Earn model—learning through enjoyment, earning through skills, and turning passions into careers. The goal is to provide youth with hands-on experience in solving real-world problems from various sectors including education, academia, and private industry, with continuous mentorship and support. This approach aligns with the policy of the Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, who envisions students as individuals who ‘learn well, earn income, and live happily.’ In FY2023, PMU-B supported five workforce development projects in STEM and Coding, targeting lower and upper secondary students, university students, and the general public. Over 7,000 youth and educators aged 15–25 from Northern, Northeastern, and Central Thailand applied, with more than 4,000 participants selected for online and on-site training within just 9 months. Over 100 young participants showcased their skills and potential through final-round Hackathon and Pitching competitions during this event. In addition, the Super AI Engineer program—now in its third year—was featured, having attracted over 20,000 applicants from Thailand and abroad, with more than 4,000 trained participants contributing their innovations to the showcase.”
On this occasion, Associate Professor Dr. Weerapong Pairsuwan also expressed his congratulations and shared his remarks:
On this occasion, Associate Professor Dr. Weerapong Pairsuwan also expressed his congratulations and shared his remarks:
“Developing youth into high-potential individuals with strong knowledge and literacy in science, mathematics (STEM), and coding is essential to enhancing the skills and capabilities of the Thai people. Especially important are systematic thinking, structured problem-solving, and the integration of emerging digital technologies—including artificial intelligence (AI)—which are constantly evolving. Driving a high-competency workforce in Coding and AI requires true collaboration through a consortium-driven approach, ensuring meaningful impact on national development. PMU-B’s organization of this event is a great step toward increasing public awareness and promoting the national Science, Research, and Innovation System (SRI). It enables youth and the general public to better understand and access development pathways in Coding and AI that align with workforce needs and help create future careers.”
He further emphasized that: “PMU-B plays a key role in establishing mechanisms that build foundational digital-age skills for youth at scale. Through its strategic workforce development plan, the unit aims to foster STEM and coding competencies as a pathway toward establishing the Thailand Coding & AI Academy—a national center connecting experts from public and private sectors, both domestic and international. This Virtual Consortium of over 70 organizations is working together to sustainably develop Thailand’s high-skill workforce in Coding and AI.”
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