BANGKOK, THAILAND, FEBRUARY 7, 2010—An ICT Professional Institute is to be set up in Thailand, with the aim of enhancing and developing professional standards in the local industry.
It is hoped that that by promoting international standards of professionalism and expertise, the institute will serve the human resources needs of the information and communications technology (ICT) industry in both the government and private sectors.
"The ICT Professional Institute project is part of the Second Thailand Information and Communications Technology Master Plan for 2009 to 2013. It is related to the development of ICT personnel to transform Thailand into a knowledge- and innovation-based society with an economy that is sustainable and stable," said Methini Thepmani, executive director of the ICT ministry's policy and strategy bureau.
She also added that the ministry would submit draft plans for the ICT Professional Institute for cabinet approval before the end of this year, The Nation, a Thai daily newspaper reported.
Raising skill levels
The ministry plans to fix ICT professional skills standards within an Asean framework, enabling the transfer of human resources between member countries of the region. It aims to raise local standards to international levels, allowing an interchange of personnel at the same levels within Asean, within five years.
"The ICT-skills standards will benefit all Asean member countries because the ICT workforce in the region will have the same qualifications up to international standards and ICT industries will have personnel qualified for national and worldwide competitiveness," she said.
Three areas targeted
Thailand plans to first develop the skills standards of ICT professionals in three areas: systems analysis specialists, IT security and ICT project managers. As a result, these professionals will have skills and qualifications comparable with those of ICT professionals anywhere in the world, and certification able to be used and recognised in the pursuit of business or professional advancement.
The ministry is also working with the TOT Academy to develop pilot courses in network security, ICT security and network engineering to help train government officers.
