![MDES - depa Launch HACKaTHAILAND 2023: DIGITAL INFINITY to Empower Thais with Digital Upskilling with Digital-Driven Activities Provided for Thais to Get Ready for Limitless Possibilities in Future World](/img/files/20230825/iq359d2b6b51d6260b30a35b1289570a58.jpg)
The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES) and the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa) teamed up with partners in the public and private sectors to launch HACKaTHAILAND 2023: DIGITAL INFINITY to showcase advanced digital technologies and solutions, aimed at passing on digital knowledge and upskilling digital skills and competency of younger generations and the public. The digital technology showcase will equip people with essential digital skills in order to deal with digital transformation in the future as digital technology is set to play a vital role in dictating the direction of our lifestyle changes. With a vast range of advanced digital technologies and digital-driven solutions on display at this year's HACKaTHAILAND, it will help reaffirm Thailand as the hub for digital technologies and innovations in Southeast Asia.
Aside from digital showcases across dimensions, there are also seminars and special group discussions as well as a digital ideation and pitching stage that will allow next-generation digital citizens to pitch their innovative ideas. Advanced digital technologies, innovations and digital-inspired solutions will be on display in five themed zones at the Plenary Hall 1-4 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. It is expected to attract no less than 40,000 visitors during the two-day digital showcase event, helping to generate more than 1 billion baht worth of economic value for the country.
H.E. Mr. Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, Minister of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), presided over the opening ceremony of HACKaTHAILAND 2023: DIGITAL INFINITY with representatives and delegations from foreign embassies in Thailand, senior executives from relevant agencies and organizations in the public and private sectors, prominent academics, famous experts, and stakeholders in the digital technology industry both in Thailand and abroad, attending the event. Asst. Prof. Dr. Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, President/CEO of depa, together with depa's executives and officials, were also present at the event.
H.E. Mr. Chaiwut said the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has continued its efforts to take Thailand to a digital economy and society with a focus on empowering human resources and developing digital personnel who will be the backbone of the country in the future. The ministry has developed digital manpower through a range of learning programs created to pass on digital knowledge and improve digital skills for the people across age ranges so that they will be able to appropriately adopt any digital technology and innovation at disposal with greater security and they will be well prepared for any disruptions and challenges in the future world.
"Due to the aforementioned reasons, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society by the depa decided to initiate a high-profile digital showcase and ideation event HACKaTHAILAND 2023: DIGITAL INFINITY, which is scheduled for August 25-26 at the Plenary Hall 1-4, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. The objective of the digital showcase event is to allow the public to realize the advancement of digital technologies and innovations and discover new, immersive digital experiences.
All visitors can stay updated with the latest trends in the digital industry. The launch of the event is in alignment with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society's development policy to foster creativity and equip all Thais with essential digital skills in order to be able to develop digital innovations needed to optimize development of digital economy and society of the country in accordance with the Digital Development for National Economic and Social Development Framework and the second phase of the Digital Economy Development Masterplan (B.E. 2566 - 2570)," said the Minister of Digital Economy and Society.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Nuttapon said HACKaTHAILAND 2023: DIGITAL INFINITY was initiated through collaboration between the depa and its strategic partners in the government and the private sectors with a goal to share knowledge and experiences in order to level up the existing digital knowledge and digital skills of all Thai people across segments in society. The event also aims to raise public awareness about the growing importance of digital technologies and innovations that are playing a greater role in our lifestyles. The depa also set its sights to take Thailand to weather disruptions in the digital economy and society era to achieve growth and prosperity in a sustainable manner.
The digital showcase event is expected to raise confidence in Thailand's competitiveness to become a digital and innovation hub in Southeast Asia. This year's HACKaTHAILAND presents a wide array of advanced digital technologies and solutions in the Edutainment-style format so as to enhance engagement and encourage learning so that all participants will have first-hand creative digital experiences along with seminars and forums by famous gurus and experts in the digital industry. The event also highlights a digital ideation stage where next-generation digital citizens pitch their ideas on digital solutions. Digital technologies and innovations on display at HACKaTHAILAND 2023: DIGITAL INFINITY are divided into 5 themed zones as follows;
In addition, HACKaTHAILAND 2023: DIGITAL INFINITY also has a pitching stage that allows next-generation digital citizens to pitch their digital-driven ideas on future-focused innovations and solutions such as the launch of DIGI-PRENEUR and DIGITAL SOLUTIONS, aiming to transform the country with prizes worth 1 million baht up for grabs. The pitching stage also highlights the FUTURE CAREER competition where participants show their DIGITAL SKILLS to enhance their future career growth in the future world. It also aims to elevate the standard of the Thai digital content industry with prizes worth a combined 2 million baht provided. In the YOUTH category, HACKATHON by Digital Youth Network competition is held under the "Innovation behind development of digital world" theme. It is divided into 5 categories, comprising Startup, Program, Technology, Business, and Activity with prizes worth a combined 275,000 baht up for grabs. The E-COMMERCE category features an intense competition among next-generation influencers and digital content creators with prizes worth 280,000 baht provided. The DIGITAL CONTENT category presents an ideation competition among professional and amateur game developers in order to find the winner of The Best Game of depa Game Accelerator Program Batch 3 with a seed fund of 500,000 baht provided to further develop the winning game.
After finishing the opening ceremony of HACKaTHAILAND 2023: DIGITAL INFINITY, the depa also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce, Huawei Technologies (Thailand) Company Limited, Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology & Innovation (MRANTI), and TBN Corporation Public Company Limited to collaborate on development of digital economy as gurus and experts from multiple fields shared their knowledge, experience and perspectives on digitalization. They included Mr. Jitinat Asdamongkol, President of ONE Championship Thailand, Dr. Chawapol Jariyawiroj, President of Huawei Technologies (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Mr. Tanyapong Thamavaranukupt, President of Ascend Money Co., Ltd., Mr. Jirayut Srupsrisopa, Founder and Group CEO of Bitkub Capital Group Holdings Co., Ltd. and Mr. Komsan Lee, Chief Executive Officer of Flash Express Co., Ltd.
"HACKaTHAILAND 2023: DIGITAL INFINITY presents a crucial opportunity for Thais to have hands-on experience and get an impression in advanced digital technologies and innovations as well as acknowledging the advantages of adopting any digital technology that suits the needs and context of each individual. The digital showcase event is a mechanism initiated to empower human resources and maximize the potential of Thai digital startups. It is fundamental to raising the competitiveness and moving the country forward to the digital economy and society era. More importantly, Thai people will intrinsically have a digital immune system to deal with disruptions, challenges, and changes that are going to happen in the future. The depa estimates the number of both online and onsite participants to hit no less than 40,000 during the two-day digital showcase event, helping to generate more than 1 billion baht worth of economic value for the country," said the depa president.
Interested people can stay updated with the latest news and find more information on HACKaTHAILAND 2023: DIGITAL INFINITY at LINE OA: @depaThailand, Facebook Page: HACKaTHAILAND and Website: www.hackathailand.com.