press release Chevron Expands on the Success of Enjoy Science Careers in Its Second Year
Bangkok – November 3, 2017 – Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production, Ltd., in partnership with the National Science Museum (NSM) and Kenan Institute Asia, is expanding on the success of the Enjoy Science Careers project in its second consecutive year. This year, the project continues to encourage and inspire youngsters to take up careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through interactive exhibitions that offer an opportunity for Thai students all over the country to explore a new set of 10 interesting STEM professions. The event features a range of fun career exploration activities and talk sessions with STEM role models. The project aims to foster a 21st century skilled workforce, considered a crucial foundation for the success of the government’s Thailand 4.0 policy. Over 200,000 young people are expected to benefit from the project within 1 year.
Assoc. Prof. Soranit Siltharm, M.D., Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, said “With Thailand moving towards the goal of becoming an innovation-driven economy under the government’s Thailand 4.0 policy, it is essential that the country equips the young generation with knowledge and skills that are necessary for working in the 21st century, in response to the industrial sector’s adoption of high-level technology. This is in line with the Ministry of Science and Technology’s main mission to improve the country’s science, technology and innovations to upgrade the country’s human resources, which will in turn sustainably enhance our economy, society and competitiveness. The continuation of the Enjoy Science Careers project for a second consecutive year is made possible through the contributions of the public and private sectors, as well as civil society, under the public private partnership policy. The project will serve as a model for encouraging Thai students to pursue careers in science and technology and stoking their interest in science, helping shape Thailand into a long-term science-driven society in the future.”
Asst. Prof. Dr. Rawin Rawiwong, President, the National Science Museum (NSM), concurred, adding “Professions in science and technology are crucial for the country’s development in several areas, therefore skilled labor with STEM knowledge and skills are increasingly in demand. Last year, the Enjoy Science Careers exhibitions in Bangkok highlighting 10 STEM careers, organized through our partnership with Chevron and Kenan Institute Asia, and the subsequent exhibitions featured at the NSM’s Science Caravan elsewhere, received excellent feedback from the youths across the country. The project is therefore returning this year with another new set of 10 interesting STEM careers, which are significant in moving the country forward under the Thailand 4.0 policy. These careers include Health, Environment and Safety Specialist, Satellite Engineer, Robotic and Mechatronic Engineer, Nano Material Researcher, Strength and Conditioning Coach, Railway Systems Engineer, Sound Engineer, Investment Analyst, Smart Farmer, and Data Scientist. Through exhibitions and hands-on activities, youngsters will have fun experiencing the careers with real-life tools and equipment and engage in talk sessions with successful role models from each career. It is expected that visitors will have positive attitudes towards professions in science and technology after joining the event.”
Ms. Sirivimol Chuenbarn, health, environment and safety specialist, Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production, Ltd., and a career idol for Enjoy Science Careers Year 2, explained “STEM education provides more opportunities for students to secure professional careers. Health, environment and safety specialist is one of the STEM careers likely to be in demand in the near future, especially in industries where high-technology machinery and chemicals are used. As unexpected incidents can potentially have a large impact on employees, local communities and the environment, the specialists in this field play an important role in supervising and preventing any danger for co-workers, the environment and communities. A health, environment and safety specialist has to evaluate risks in the workplace, issue safety operation procedures, manage quality control as well as assure safety for the environment and communities in which a company is operating. Offering an equal-opportunity career path for men and women, the key to success in this profession rests on one’s ability to integrate knowledge in various fields to analyze, plan and prevent risks in the workplace and reduce environmental impacts effectively.”
Mr. Artit Krichphiphat, business support general manager, Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production, Ltd., added “Enjoy Science Careers is one of the activities under Chevron’s ‘Enjoy Science’ Project. The 5-year program, under the government’s public private partnership model, aims to strengthen Thailand’s competitiveness and innovation through educational development in the fields of STEM in general and vocational education systems across the country. The Enjoy Science Careers offers youngsters a chance to learn more about trending careers as well as professional opportunities provided by STEM, which, in turn, will inspire them to pursue education and careers in related subjects in the future. This will generate more qualified workers in the fields of STEM, propelling Thailand as it moves towards a technology-based and innovation-based society, in accordance with the government’s Thailand 4.0 policy. During the first nationwide tour, the Enjoy Science Careers received positive responses, with 290,000 students reached. For the second year, we expect that more than 200,000 students will benefit from the project.”
The Enjoy Science Careers Year 2 is being held from November 3-5, 2017 from 10.00-19.00 hrs. at The Street, Ratchada. Admission is free and the event is open to both the general public and students to participate in the activities and win prizes. After the launch, the exhibition will be featured in the NSM’s Science Caravan, which will go on a nationwide tour, starting in Sakon Nakhon. For more information about the event and the tour, visit www.nsm.or.th or Enjoy Science Careers Facebook page.
About Enjoy Science: The Thailand Partnership Initiative, known as Chevron’s Enjoy Science Project, is a five-year, public private partnership to strengthen Thailand’s competitiveness and innovation by improving STEM and vocational education across the country. This program is one of five major economic development initiatives undertaken across Chevron’s global operations by partnering with a range of partners in civil society, academia, the private sector, and the government, including the National Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office (STI), the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), the National Science Museum (NSM), the Office of Basic Education Commission (OBEC), the Office of Vocational Education Commission (OVEC), the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology (IPST), and the Ministry of Labor’s Department of Skills Development (DSD). The project is operated by Kenan Institute Asia.
