Microsoft planning Thailand 4.0 initiatives

Microsoft is planning several initiatives to help drive Thailand 4.0, the country’s 20-year national strategy to achieve an advanced economy and society, including a goal of working with 200 local universities to provide digital training courses.

“On my wish list is to make the Microsoft platform help push forward Thailand 4.0 along with other stakeholders,” said Dhanawat Suthumpun, Managing Director of Microsoft Thailand. “I’ve always loved technology, as it helps enable other people and businesses to increase their productivity.”

Microsoft named Dhanawat to lead its Thai two years ago. He said his goals go beyond expanding Microsoft’s business to finding roles the firm can play in moving the country forward.

As Managing Director, he said he intends to enhance Microsoft’s collaboration with the government in digital skills training. The company is aiming to increase the number of universities it works with to provide training services from 25 this year to 200 in the future.

Microsoft has already been providing short courses in data science, programming, and cloud technology to university students. Next year’s step will be to expand training services to the workforce. The company will reskill employees and award them certificates for the courses they attend.

Microsoft is also aiming to train children in coding and provide training for teachers in innovative methods through a partnership with the Office of the Basic Education Commission.

The company is also working with the Digital Economy Promotion Agency to build a platform for a national AI Center that startups can use to access tools for smart farming development.

Photo courtesy of https://news.microsoft.com/th-th/2019/11/12/envision2019-th/