Royal Thai Government's programme to boost digital workforce sees 50 students study overseas with UK’s University of Leicester

Thai students spent six weeks studying in the United Kingdom as part of the Thailand government’s plan to equip young people with the skills to thrive in a digital economy. 

The Royal Thai Government’s One District One Scholarship programme was launched in Bangkok, in July. The ambitious scheme, which aims to inspire and upskill the next generation to become a key part of Thailand’s digital workforce, saw hundreds of scholarship winners spend time in overseas summer schools at universities around the world.

The University of Leicester in the UK’s East Midlands, was selected as a One District One Scholarship partner.

Fifty students enjoyed a packed programme of events and learning opportunities during their UK stay, which ran from 5 October to 15 November.

The students’ stay in Leicester culminated in a celebration event, which saw the Thailand Ambassador to the UK, Nadhavathna Krishnamra make a special appearance, meeting his compatriots and offering them words of encouragement.

Ambassador Krishnamra explained the importance of the digital economy, science, and technology, before emphasising how the students are an important driving force for Thailand’s future development in the digital sector. 

He told the students: “Your participation at the University of Leicester, including visits to Space Park Leicester and various partner organisations, provided an excellent opportunity to broaden your knowledge and experience in these key areas.”

“You are not only the future of Thailand, but also important bridges between our two nations. I hope that the experiences, friendships, and memories you have made here will inspire you to contribute to your communities, your country, and to the continued friendship between Thailand and the United Kingdom.”

The One District One Scholarship has the full support of Leicester City Football Club who delivered educational activities, hosted the students at Leicester City’s home match against Blackburn Rovers and provided a behind-the-scenes-tour of the Foxes’ King Power Stadium. 

The University signed a partnership with King Power in July which marked a commitment to work together in education and health partnerships in Thailand and the UK.

Leicester City Football Club’s newly installed interim managing director, and Thai national, Kamonthip Netthanomsak, joined the Ambassador and met the students at their leaving ceremony.

The programme included a series of study modules delivered by academics from the University’s School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences (SCMS) who are experts in areas including AI and machine learning, mathematics and computational modelling, trustworthy autonomous systems and methods of AI and data analytics. They also took part in modules run by the University’s School of Business.

They also spent a day at the London headquarters of CGI, one of the world’s largest IT and business consulting services firms and a key industry partner of the SCMS. There, the students took part in a product development workshop. 

Other activities included interactive masterclasses at the National Space Centre, attendance at a Leicester Riders game, and a visit to the King Richard III Visitor Centre, where the students learned more about the University’s role in the discovery, unearthing and identification of the king’s remains. The students also spent time at the University’s Space Park Leicester – the city’s hub for space research and innovation.

University President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nishan Canagarajah, said: “We were delighted to be able to welcome these bright young Thai students to the University. I was honoured to be in Bangkok when these students picked Leicester as their destination for this unique programme, and it was a privilege to welcome the ambassador to UK to the closing ceremony in Leicester. 

“As is the saying in Thailand – learning is indeed endless – and I was delighted the University and partners were able to give the students an incredible boost in the early stages of their lifetime of learning”