Thailand is racing toward a digital future — and it starts with its youth. To prepare the next generation for a rapidly evolving world, the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa) collaborated with UW Continuum College’s International & English Language Programs (IELP) to launch a specialized Digital Skills Program as one of Thailand’s Outstanding Development Opportunity Scholarship (ODOS) global Summer Camp programs. With a focus on more than just academics, the program opens doors to global learning and innovation, giving students experiences that transform lives and communities.
“One of my dreams was to study abroad, so I did everything I could to go,” says Hilmi “Meen” Adena, a liberal arts student from Southern Thailand. “And with the full scholarship, I made it.”
A Vision Powered by Partnership
In the years leading up to 2025, depa, a public organization under Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, recognized a pressing challenge: how to equip young people with essential digital skills and the confidence to use them. Their answer was ODOS Summer Camp — an initiative to close the skills gap and cultivate a workforce that drives national progress and strengthens the economy.
ODOS Summer Camp offers short-term, youth-focused learning experiences that blend technical training with global exposure in 12 different countries. Students joining the program explore leading-edge topics such as coding, IoT and digital ethics while sharpening essential critical thinking, digital entrepreneurship, communication and business presentation skills. The goal is clear: prepare students not only to participate in the digital economy but to lead it.
These students aren’t just participants in a program; they’re pioneers. Their journeys set an example for national progress and innovation, carrying with them the promise of a nation ready to thrive in the digital age.
To achieve its vision, depa partnered with IELP’s International Specialized Programs (ISP) unit to create a high-quality, tailored program. The result: the specialized Digital Skills Program — an immersive five-week experience offered in October 2025 that blended digital innovation and communication skills.
“This program really demonstrates the flexibility of our ISP customized programs model and how we can adapt to unique cultural and educational needs for diverse populations,” says Cheryl Wheeler, ISP program director. “ISP is a powerhouse of opportunity for international government agencies, universities or professional groups looking for a unique academic experience.”
Opening Doors for All
To ensure students from every corner of Thailand could participate — regardless of geography or income — ODOS delivered 928 scholarships across all 76 provinces and Bangkok. For Saranchat “Tubtim” Yaiwang from Northern Thailand, whose family income made studying abroad seem out of reach, ODOS opened doors she never imagined. “I live comfortably, but couldn’t afford to travel outside the country,” she shares. “It’s a great opportunity for me to improve my English and gain additional skills.”
Chaninat “Nokia” Chanphong, also from Northern Thailand, echoes that sentiment, emphasizing how the program shifts students' beliefs about what is possible. “I would never imagine that a 16-year-old girl like me could be here in the United States,” she says. “This program supports you financially, and all you need to do is learn and bring back those skills to spread them.”
Learning That Transforms Lives
Hilmi “Meen” Adena celebrates completing the program.
Students didn’t just sit in classrooms; they visited tech hubs and explored local attractions, allowing them to envision careers that once seemed out of reach. “I want to be a flight attendant,” Meen says. “Visiting places like the Museum of Flight went beyond my expectations and made my dreams for the future even bigger.”
The experience was equally eye-opening for Nokia, reframing how she sees AI and creative work. “I like language arts, and many people say, ‘AI will replace your work.’ But now that I’ve learned about AI, I’m more skilled than some people,” she reflects. “I want to show people I can use AI to make my job better and use that to get myself a better opportunity in my career.”
The program enables students to experience life in another country, broadening their perspectives and building their confidence. “Going abroad opened my mind and my eyes to a new world,” says Meen. “Each country has unique cultures and ideas. You can learn and consider different options for your future.”
These moments matter. Students return home with new skills, improved English, and a greater sense of purpose. They’re ready to inspire peers and strengthen their communities by applying their new knowledge and sharing what they’ve learned. “Everybody should try to get into this program,” Tubtim explains. “You get to see how other countries approach education, and you can go back home and spread that knowledge.”
By equipping students with digital skills and global exposure, IELP and depa are helping to build a competitive workforce. These students aren’t just participants in a program; they’re pioneers. Their journeys set an example for national progress and innovation, carrying with them the promise of a nation ready to thrive in the digital age.
“Many of these students had never traveled outside their own province before,” Cheryl says. “Offering them content that helps them feel confident about self-study provides them with an important advantage. It also sparks interest in returning to the U.S. for future academic experiences, which is a big win in terms of preparing as many students as possible for global opportunities.”