The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES) and the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa), together with partners in the public and private sectors, teamed up to kick off HACKaTHAILAND 2023 #TheKickOff under the “DIGITAL INFINITY” concept that serves as a mechanism to optimize development of digital skills among Thais in order to elevate Thailand’s competitiveness and standard of the country to be on par with other countries. The HACKaTHAILAND is also an ideation stage where digital-driven people gather to brainstorm future-focused digital solutions to enhance development of the country in order to bring a balance into an infinite digital development and sustainability. Moreover, the HACKaTHAILAND Online Learning Platform will be launched to provide a host of updated digital knowledge to level up digital skills and empower people’s digital readiness. The HACKaTHAILAND 2023 #TheKickOff commences today and runs until December 19 at the 9th - 10th floors of SIAMSCAPE. The digital-inspired activity is expected to attract no less than 45,000 participants during the three-day run.

H.E. Mr. Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, Minister of Digital Economy and Society, presided over the HACKaTHAILAND 2023 #TheKickOff held under the concept DIGITAL INFINITY. Asst. Prof. Dr. Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, President/CEO of depa, together with representatives from embassies in Thailand and senior executives of partner companies and organizations in the public and private sectors and educational institutions, also attended the digital upskilling project at the 9th floor of SIAMSCAPE.

H.E. Mr. Chaiwut said the Thai government by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society is committed to moving Thailand forward to a digital economy and society. The government has always given priority to digital personnel development as human resources are fundamental to enhancing national development. The ministry has empowered Thai people across age ranges by providing digital literacy and digital-related knowledge so that they will be able to embrace digital technologies and innovations securely on the back of digital transformation. They will be ready for all changes and challenges lying ahead and move forward to grow in the digital era in a sustainable manner.

“Due to the aforementioned reasons, the Digital Economy and Society Ministry by the depa teamed up to continue the success of the HACKaTHAILAND project by launching the HACKaTHAILAND 2023 #TheKickOff with a goal to serve as a mechanism to raise awareness about the advancement of digital technologies and innovations among stakeholders in the business sector and people in society. The digital-driven initiative aims to provide people with greater access to digital knowledge to equip them with digital literacy and essential digital skills as well as helping improve digital skills for all people across segments in society so that Thais will be on the same international standards as people in other countries. The HACKaTHAILAND allows participants to share their experiences and knowledge on digital technology and digital skills in multiple areas that are essential for improving the quality of life so that people will be well prepared for digital transformation and disruption to help move the country forward to digital economy and society with sustainability and balance in line with Thailand’s Digital Economy and Society Development Plan,” said the Minister of Digital Economy and Society.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Nuttapon said the HACKaTHAILAND 2023 #TheKickOff digital upskilling and ideation activity is initiated in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, depa and partners in the public and private sectors with an objective to raise awareness about the importance of providing digital skills development and digital knowledge for Thai people across segments and age ranges such as next generation, youths, students, undergraduates, working people in the IT and non-IT segments. The depa is committed to further continuing the success of the HACKaTHAILAND digital upskilling project, which was launched in November 2021. The digital skills development project has received a good response with more than 900,000 participants recorded so far, generating more than 780 million baht worth of an economic impact.

In addition, the depa took the HACKaTHAILAND project to the next level to enhance efficiency in digital learning by launching the HACKaTHAILAND Online Learning Platform, where people enjoy greater access to the sources of digital knowledge and discover a range of latest updates on digital-driven knowledge to unlock the digital potential of people. Digital people and those interested in digital technology can maximize their digital knowledge and digital competency without any expenses and equally enjoy lifelong learning anywhere and anytime on the platform. All learners and participants will receive an online certification when completing each learning program, paving the way for advancing their professions and career progression. For this year’s HACKaTHAILAND edition, all participants will discover eight new digital skills development and learning programs that feature 80 lessons, totaling 106 hours in learning period combined. All learners and digital enthusiasts will be fully equipped with digital skills and future-focused knowledge that are essential to enhancing the development of the country. The target groups comprise “Youth” or students and undergraduates; “Future Career” university students and newly employed workers or first jobbers; and “Digi-Preneur” or people who are interested in becoming an entrepreneur in the digital industry. Participants in each group will be upskilled in accordance with their preferences in career progression as follows

1. Youth: Focus on protecting or guarding youths, students, undergraduates aged less than 18 years old against cyber threats in the digital era by promoting good practices and educating them with basic laws, rules and regulations governing the use of social media platforms. The goal is to produce quality generations to team up with the DIGITAL YOUTH NETWORK THAILAND to help affected people and society in each area. They will be capable of screening and monitoring news and useful information online in order to effectively share them for maximum benefits of society.
2. Future Career: Focus on improving digital knowledge for senior university students who are going to graduate and first jobbers so that they can grow their future career path with confidence. There are four learning programs to enhance career progression and opportunities in next-generation digital career paths that are on the rise, comprising E-Commerce, Digital Content, Game Streamer and Digital Artist.
3. Digi-preneur: Focus on equipping new graduates and those interested in becoming an entrepreneur with confidence in the digital industry. The Digi-preneur features two quality learning programs: New Digi-preneur and New Social Digi-preneur. A range of captivating business models and ideas will be presented and further developed in order to become more competitive and viable for winning awards in products and services.

After all participants in each group complete all digital upskilling programs available on the HACKaTHAILAND Online Learning Platform, the depa will launch an ideation round that allows new generations to brainstorm or pitch their ideas to find innovative solutions to enhance the country’s competitiveness with sustainability and balance still maintained before being further developed and formulated to become a digital product or service concept by next-generation entrepreneurs. The final round is scheduled for August 2023. The depa is confident that the new generations in each segment have the potential to further advance their ideas to infinitely bring about changes and new development to Thailand.

Moreover, all participants will have an opportunity to share their perspectives and discuss ideas with mentors, gurus, and experts from different industries at seminars to be held during the three-day project. They will share knowledge and hands-on experience with interested participants. There will be a survey on growth and development and trends in the digital industry in Thailand and abroad. All participants will be able to experience the technology showcase under the DIGITAL INFINITY concept that features a range of digital technologies and innovations from the country’s high-profile digital-driven projects such as the Thai E-SPORTS Industry Development project initiated to meet international standards, the Digital Tourism project to enhance Thai tourism through the use of digital technologies; the Thai Game Industry to Global project to promote development of Thai game developers and entrepreneurs; and the Transform: New-Normal Market Project and many more.

“HACKaTHAILAND 2023 #TheKickOff is a digital-driven activity that the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, depa and partners in the public and private sectors aim to generate new digitalization opportunities for the people, society and the economy. It is expected to empower the country to be ready for digital transformation and disruption as well as challenges in the new era as well as leading Thailand to the digital world with stability and sustainability. The number of participants over three days is expected to be more than 45,000 on the online and offline platforms,” said the President/CEO of depa.

HACKaTHAILAND 2023 #TheKickOff commences today and runs until December 19. Interested people can participate in the digital upskilling activity without any expenses from 10.00 – 18.00 at the 9th - 10th floors, SIAMSCAPE. For more information, contact LINE OA: @depaThailand, Website: www.hackathailand.com and Facebook: HACKaTHAILAND