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Coding researchers aim to develop smart talent through the Thailand PMU-B Coding & AI Academy as a lifelong learning platform.

Coding researchers discuss strategic directions for developing intelligent human capital, aiming to build the Thailand PMU-B Coding & AI Academy as a platform for lifelong learning. 🧠💻📚

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📅 On September 19, 2023, the Program Management Unit for Human Resources and Institutional Development, Research and Innovation (PMU-B) organized a meeting to present the progress of research projects in the field of Coding, carried out in a consortium model with funding support from the Science, Research and Innovation Promotion Fund (TSRI).

The projects are part of the P21 Program, which aims to scale up the production and development of researchers and high-skilled personnel in science and innovation, and the sub-program N44 (S4P21), which focuses on equipping youth with competencies in science, mathematics, and coding using science, research, and innovation as development tools. These initiatives are under the 2023 fiscal year framework.

The meeting was led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Sirinan Kulchat, Deputy Director of PMU-B, with participation from Prof. Dr. Prapas Chongsathidwattana and Dr. Suraphan Meknawin, esteemed experts, along with researchers from the five PMU-B funded coding projects of 2023, private sector partners, and PMU-B analysts. The session took place at Waghor 1 Meeting Room, 14th floor, NXPO Headquarters, Chamchuri Square, Bangkok, with 31 participants onsite and 83 participants online via Zoom.

The meeting was structured into four key sessions:

  1. Thailand Coding Competency Map and Talent Pool

  2. Progress Reports on Basic Coding Skill Development Projects

  3. Progress Reports on Advanced and Expert-Level Coding Projects in Specialized Fields

  4. The Sustainable Learning Platform: Thailand PMU-B Coding & AI Academy

During the session, researchers shared the benefits of collaboration and agreed on the need to establish a national Coding Consortium to align efforts, share resources, and achieve measurable, high-impact outcomes in coding talent development for Thailand’s future.

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As part of its 2023 strategic initiative, the Program Management Unit for Human Resources and Institutional Development, Research and Innovation (PMU-B) provided funding support for five research and development projects aimed at enhancing coding competencies among youth, teachers, school administrators, and the general public across various regions of Thailand. The projects, awarded in April 2023, are as follows:

  1. Building Coders ProjectA program to upskill and reskill youth, researchers, innovators, and the public in science, mathematics, and programming, across 17 provinces in Northern Thailand. The goal is to prepare participants for the labor market.Project Lead: Professor Dr. Somyot Plubtieng

  2. Integrated Learning Ecosystem Model: Coding & AI for YouthThis project focuses on creating an integrated learning environment for youth that combines coding and artificial intelligence (AI).Project Lead: Professor Dr. Sumalee ChaijaroenRegion: Northeastern Thailand

  3. RAC Project: Robotics, AI, and CodingAimed at developing gifted students in secondary and vocational education, this project supports a nationwide network for robotics, AI, and coding education.Project Lead: Associate Professor Dr. Siam CharoensiengFocus Area: Robotics

  4. Neuroscience & AI ProjectThis project seeks to enhance programming skills by modeling the relationship between human behavior and brain signals using mathematics and artificial intelligence.Project Lead: Assistant Professor (Special) Dr. Chaipat ChunharasmitFocus Area: Medical and Cognitive Science

  5. Smart Agriculture Digital Citizenship ProjectDesigned to develop digital citizens for Thailand's smart agriculture industry using STEM, Coding, IoT, and AI.Project Lead: Mr. Noppadon PanyajongthavornFocus Area: Smart Agriculture

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During the meeting, Dr. Paisit Khanasa, faculty member at the Institute of Field Robotics (FIBO), King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), presented the progress of the Thailand Coding Competency Map, which has undergone two rounds of public hearings and is scheduled for its third round of consultation on September 22, 2023.

Dr. Paisit outlined that the Coding Competency Map is being developed as a national standard, structured into four levels, divided into Beginner and Intermediate tiers:

  • Level 1 – Computational Thinking FoundationFocuses on basic logical thinking for solving simple problems.

  • Level 2 – Basic Programming & Data RepresentationCovers introductory logic, understanding programming structure, and block-based coding.

  • Level 3 – Introductory Problem Solving with Programming for Daily LifeApplies logic and programming to solve practical problems encountered in daily life.

  • Level 4 – Practical Coding for Real World ProblemsIntegrates logical thinking with relevant technologies to create solutions for real-world and industry-related problems.

This competency framework is designed as a foundation for assessing skill levels and can be extended to specialized domains such as Blockchain, FinTech, Robotics, AI, and more.

Experts at the meeting raised an important question regarding the alignment of Thailand’s Coding Competency Map with international standards—specifically, to what extent the proposed framework can be benchmarked globally. This input will be considered in refining the competency model for the final round of public hearing.

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As part of the national collaboration among coding researchers, a digital learning platform has been jointly developed under the initiative Thailand PMU-B Coding & AI Academy. The platform, known as PowerClass, integrates educational content, teaching materials, and research outputs from various projects into one comprehensive hub.

The goal is to create a sustainable open-access learning ecosystem where individuals of all ages can freely explore and develop their coding and AI skills—anytime, anywhere, at no cost.

The platform is publicly accessible via:🌐 https://codingacademy.pmu-hr.or.th/

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