depa Clarifies ODOS Summer Camp Selection Process Emphasizes Principles of 'Transparency, Equality, and Accountability'

Asst. Prof. Dr. Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, President/CEO of the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa) revealed that following the Cabinet's assignment to the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), with depa as the primary implementing agency for the ODOS Summer Camp project providing 928 free scholarships. The project aims to provide opportunities for Thai youth to experience living and studying at leading universities abroad for 5 - 6 weeks, while enhancing digital skills from technology owners who are global technology companies and finding inspiration to continue toward choosing higher-level study tracks and future career paths. Currently, the project has completed three rounds of selection through English language and digital skills testing, with 928 people passing from 878 districts nationwide and 50 districts in Bangkok Metropolitan Area. Following this, those who passed the selection will participate in curriculum/country lottery activities and interviews on Saturday, July 26, at Bangkok Convention Centre, 22nd Floor, Centara Grand at CentralWorld.

However, the ODOS Summer Camp project working team has acknowledged public observations regarding transparency in the participant selection process. Therefore, the team wishes to clarify various issues that have raised doubts about the selection process to create proper understanding and fairness for all parties, as follows:

1. Cases of Qualifications Not Meeting Specified Criteria

ODOS Summer Camp clearly specifies participant qualifications, including:

• Thai nationality / Age not exceeding 19 years
• Students studying in educational institutions within the country in academic year 2024 at upper secondary level, vocational certificate, higher vocational certificate first year, or bachelor's degree first year or equivalent
• Cumulative grade point average for the latest 2 semesters not lower than 2.50
• Cumulative grade point average for English subjects for the latest 2 semesters not lower than 3.00

2. Cases Where Address Verification Reveals Inconsistency with Household Registration

The project discovered that some applicants declared addresses to apply in districts with lower competition despite not having domicile according to household registration in those areas, which contradicts the principle of opportunity distribution according to domicile. Moreover, the project clearly specifies that applicants must have addresses according to household registration in any district of Thailand continuously for no less than 1 year. In cases of address changes less than 1 year, the previous address where one resided continuously for no less than 1 year shall be used for program application.

3. Cases of Detected Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in First Round Examination Fraud

The AI behavioral analysis system, if concluding consistent fraud results, will disqualify applicants without exception to maintain examination integrity.

4. Cases of Non-compliance with Online Examination Regulations

Some applicants turned off cameras or concealed their faces during examinations, which constitutes behavior suggestive of fraud and results in system disqualification according to clearly announced criteria.

5. Cases of Equal Final Round Scores

If final round scores are equal, the project will consider previous round scores as additional criteria, examining scores at decimal levels for accuracy and fairness. This results in final round test-takers who achieved full scores potentially not being selected if their previous round scores were lower than other applicants.

6. Cases Requesting Score Ranking Disclosure

Such requests cannot be implemented as score rankings constitute personal data of all applicants.

"depa confirms that the ODOS Summer Camp project operates by adhering to the principles of 'transparency, equality, and accountability' at every stage for the maximum benefit of Thai youth nationwide," stated the President/CEO of depa.

For those who passed the 3rd round of selection, they may participate in curriculum/country lottery activities and interviews on Saturday, July 26, with registration opening from 07.30 am onwards at Bangkok Convention Centre, 22nd Floor, Centara Grand at CentralWorld.

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