Friday March 29, 2024 – Khon Kaen University researchers under the “English Skill Development Project for Thai Film Manpower on Metaverse Platform,” a funded research project from the Human Resource Quality and Competency Upgrading for the 21st Century – through the fields of humanities, social sciences, and fine arts –, Program Management Unit for Human Resources & Institutional Development, Research and Innovation (PMU-B). Assoc. Prof. Orathai Pia-ura, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is the leader of this research project, with her team: Prof. Thidarat Boonmars, Ph.D., Vice President for Innovation and Enterprise; Assoc. Prof. Niyom Wongpongkham, Ph.D., Vice President for Art, Culture and Creative Economy; Asst. Prof. Pongthanat Saeju, Ph.D., a lecturer of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; and Dr. Hava Wongpongkham. The so-called “Eng Lab For Film” Metaverse Platform is meant for developing English skills for manpower in the Thai Film Industry.”The event, held at Infinity Room, G Floor, Pullman Bangkok King Power Hotel, Bangkok, was opened by Asst. Prof. Poripok Pitsuwan, Ph.D., Deputy Director of PMU-B. Over 300 people attended including students and personnel in the film industry
Asst. Prof. Poripok Pitsuwan, Ph.D., Deputy Director of PMU-B explained about the research support that initially, PMU-B wanted to develop manpower and research work in different forms, especially in social sciences, humanities and fine arts, with the aim to propel ‘Soft Power’ with creative economy, enhancing Thainess internationally. The integration of the new technology called “METAVERSE” with English language program will create a virtual classroom platform that will upskill and improve a person’s level of English. This includes a group of students who will work in the film industry so that they can reskill with new skills necessary for their future occupation.
Assoc. Prof. Orathai Pia-ura, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences added, “Thai film industry tends to grow continuously and is accepted well internationally. However, the constraint in English language is the weakness that may prevent manpower in Thai film industry to work with their counterpart abroad. This project therefore is aimed at developing English skills on a virtual platform with the modern technology that can create the learning atmosphere and stimulate learners to enjoy learning.”
The “English Skill Development Project for Thai Film Manpower on Metaverse Platform” is a project that emphasizes development of English skills of manpower in Thai film industry using the virtual or Metaverse platform. This is English skill learning through modern technology that creates appropriate learning atmosphere and stimulates learners to become interested and enjoy the lessons. Besides, this prepares students to go out as key manpower in Thai film industry and supports life-long learning.
At the event, there were interesting activities including introduction to “Eng Lab For Film” – a VR-Metaverse classroom. The attendants were able to test and learn in the classroom. There was a forum on the topic: “Ways to Develop Manpower in Thai Film Industry to Enter the World Stage”. The speakers were those working in the national films including Khun Sirisak Khotpatcharin, Vice President of the National Film Association; Khun Pratchaya Pinkaew a famous Thai film director and script writer of the country.
The launching of METAVERSE “Eng Lab For Film” is an important step that will provoke English skill development and competency development of people in Thai film industry, increase the chances to enter the world level and deploy people in the field to have high competency. This is comparable to the river upstream that will drive forward the policy: Thailand Soft Power that will export culture, entertainment and Thai ways of life through the stories in films.
(More information is available at: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?mibextid=w8EBqM&rdid=CvWeW1YgKE1eQku0&v=1389253835284972)
News: Organization Communications, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Phots: Research Assistant of the “English Skill Development Project for Thai Film Manpower on Metaverse Platform”