BMW Group and UNICEF unite to boost STEM education and skills for young people across Thailand

BANGKOK, 4 September 2024 — BMW Group and UNICEF have joined forces to make quality education and skills development more accessible for children and young people across Thailand. This initiative is part of a global partnership that began in November 2023 under the slogan ‘Bridge. Educating young people for tomorrow, today.’ The partnership aims to equip children and youth with vital skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), preparing them to meet future challenges.

As part of a long-term commitment, the BMW Group will support UNICEF’s global goal of reaching 10 million children and young people each year through education. The initiative will focus on delivering training in STEM education and skills development to children and young people in Africa, Asia and Central and South America.

In Thailand, the partnership kicked off in November 2023, aiming to improve STEM education in over 100 secondary schools, particularly in rural areas. The goal is to reach 25,000 students and 500 teachers across the first three years of the partnership. The initiative also enhances teacher training in STEM subjects and provides students with after-school programmes, STEM boot camps, science fairs, and mentorship opportunities. This effort will also extend to vulnerable NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) youth, providing them with opportunities to develop valuable skills. 

Last week, BMW Group Thailand’s President and CEO, Rene Gerhard, and UNICEF's Representative for Thailand, Kyungsun Kim, visited Angsilapittayakom Secondary School in Chonburi Province. During the visit, they participated in STEM activities with students, exploring topics like climate change, weather patterns, and their impact on daily life. This hands-on experience and outdoor place-based learning showed students how STEM education can be applied to real-world challenges. 

“STEM-related jobs are key to global economic growth, and high-quality STEM education is more important than ever,” said Kyungsun Kim, UNICEF Representative for Thailand. “In Thailand, many students still lack the essential skills needed for higher education and the world of work. This partnership with the BMW Group will help bridge that gap, equipping children and young people, especially girls who often lack these opportunities, with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world.”

“BMW Group Thailand is aware of our role in society and is already developing impactful educational projects to provide young people with career opportunities and offer them future-proofed skills for the jobs of tomorrow. We are aware that education is the motor that drives our society and prepares the Thai economy for the future,” said Rene Gerhard, President and CEO of BMW Group Thailand. “Now with UNICEF, we have a longstanding partner who will support the global collaboration in STEM education for young students across Thailand. Together, we will bridge the gap between schooling and working life for the youth and prepare them for their future career advancement.”

While most students in Thailand attend school, many are not gaining the crucial skills needed for further education or the job market. According to the PISA 2018 report, only one in five boys and one in seven girls in Thailand who excel in math and science plan to pursue careers in engineering or science by age 30. Additionally, over 1.4 million Thai youth are not in education, employment, or training (NEET), with the majority being young women, leading to a growing skills gap.

Nipittha Jirathammarawut, a Grade 8 student at Angsilapittayakom School said she enjoys conducting experiments and discovering answers that not many people know, but that are grounded in science.

"Today, I learned about soil moisture and how to observe and identify different types of clouds. Everything seems fun, and there’s science to explain it. Science and math are important because they help develop our brain's learning ability. As we grow up, we can apply that knowledge to many future jobs, and it can be useful in various careers," she said.