Software engineering project for young grads
The Office of Computer Cluster Promotion (CCP) is running a project called the "4th IT Smart Gen-X" to encourage the development of Thai software engineering so that it meets global standards.
The goal is to enable new graduates to develop their software-making skills and earn international certification, a CCP official said recently. Tanapat Chaipimol, a project coordinator, said the CCP had been working with IBM (Thailand) and Microsoft (Thailand) to create new software-development environments such as .NET, Java, Web service technologies and service-oriented architecture, and transfer them to some 10 successful project candidates. Normally, such a computer programming course would cost about Bt70,000, but the projects let them study free of charge, Tanapat said. The project - the latest in an annual series - will run from May until April next year. IBM (Thailand) and Microsoft (Thailand) will provide software tools and other facilities, as well as training specialists. The trainees will get a chance to have on-the-job practice and hands-on presentation experience with the clients of IBM and Microsoft and develop skills in presentation and responding to customer enquiries, Tanapat said. "Actually, many Thais are experts in the software engineering industry, but they do not have much chance to work in international companies because they do not have certification," he said. As a result, upon completing the course, all trainees must take the IBM or Microsoft software development professional examination - as many rounds as they need - and must obtain at least one global-standard software engineering certification, he said. Each exam costs about Bt3,000 and the CCP will only pay for those who are successful, he added. The CCP - with the collaboration of IBM and Microsoft - has set aside Bt2 million to provide the candidates with scholarship money for tuition fees and also pay them a monthly salary of up to Bt20,000 to cover their expenses, he said. Fourth-year university students or postgraduates in any field of study are invited to join the project. An application form can be downloaded at www.ccp.or.th and must be submitted to info@ccp.or.th before February 22. The written exam requires knowledge of information-technology sciences, XML, object-oriented programming, Web programming and English language, while interviews will examine each applicant's intention and attitude. Over the years since the scheme was launched, 70 per cent of project trainees have landed jobs as CCP specialists, said Tanapat.
Ninnete Surarat The Nation
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