YouthSpark: Filling the Opportunity Gap with IT Training for Thai Youth

In March 2014, Microsoft Thailand, and its partners the Phuket provincial office and the National Council for Children and Youth Development (NCYD), held a graduation ceremony in Phuket, Thailand, for 200 students who have just completed Tech Training to Help Extend Youth Empowerment Space, (THE YES) programme.

“We believe that education is the single most important investment in the future of nations, communities and individuals, and Microsoft will continue to invest in education in Thailand for many more years to come.”

- Haresh Khoobchandani, Managing Director, Microsoft Thailand

THE YES programme was jointly developed by the three organisations in response to the opportunity gap, or disparity in access to quality educational resources needed for children to be academically successful. Under the programme, information technology (IT) skills training will be provided in cities across Thailand to educators and students where they will learn about the latest technology trends, and participants will obtain certification. Participants are expected to transfer their newly acquired knowledge by teaching what they’ve learned to their peers at school and other members of their communities. The project is expected to be implemented in 25 schools and universities.

Chalermrat Ploykao who received a certificate for completing THE YES programme, said, “I have always wanted to be a graphic designer. Through the programme, I have learnt how to develop various marketing materials and design them with just Microsoft Word, which I’m very familiar with. My IT teachers have been tasking me to help my classmates. I’m also teaching what I’ve learnt to my school’s IT club members.”

THE YES programme is one of several under Microsoft Thailand’s delivery of the company’s global YouthSpark initiative; the other programmes are Partners in Learning, Imagine Cup, DreamSpark and BizSpark, which collectively have benefited over 10 million students and teachers thus far.

Haresh Khoobchandani, Managing Director of Microsoft Thailand, explained the company’s vision, saying, “Microsoft Thailand is deeply committed to supporting a holistic transformation of learning that makes a real impact on educational outcomes. We believe that education is the single most important investment in the future of nations, communities and individuals, and Microsoft will continue to invest in education in Thailand for many more years to come.”