Bangkok, Thailand – Nissan in Thailand kicked off the third year of its Youth Leadership Development (YLD) program with a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education camp for a hundred Thai students in grade 8 and 9. The participants were selected from secondary schools from the neighboring communities around Nissans' assembly plant in Samut Prakarn.
To date, the program has provided more than 1,400 students in Ayutthaya, Rayong and Samut Prakarn with leadership and occupational skills to through STEM education and training. The STEM education camp forms part of the Youth Leadership Development program, a partnership between Nissan, CARE International Japan, and the Raks Thai Foundation.
During the camp, Nissan's executives shared their own life stories to inspire the 100 students from Wat Sri Wari Noi School and Wat Hau Khu School at Bann Rimnam Scout Camp, in nearby Chachoengsao.
"I am very proud to have the chance to inspire Thai students, with my own story. It started with a passion for cars, and years later, it has turned into a meaningful career at Nissan. This is why I am glad to be part of this STEM education camp because of the role it plays to help young students discover who they are and what their true passion is," said Ramesh Narasimhan, president of Nissan in Thailand. "This will additionally have a very positive impact on the community and the people around them in the near future."
Akkarapol Kaewpinit, Nissan's Managing Director for Production in Thailand challenged students to rise above their personal circumstances to succeed. He asked them to define what being passionate meant to them, and how it could make their dreams come true.
"I was born into a farming family in rural Thailand. I was lucky because when I discovered cars, I discovered my passion. This passion was able to change my life forever and became my life work. I studied day and night to learn everything I possibly could about cars as I always wanted to work for an automotive company," Akkarapol, said.
The weekend workshop involved a range of fun and interactive activities that were carefully designed to bring out not only leadership and teamwork qualities, but also individual creative and analytical skills in each of the participating students.
Students were given an opportunity to gain first-hand automotive experience, during the Nissan Terra showcase, and share their thoughts on the vehicle that is produced by members of their local communities. Then as part of the Cars of the Future exercise, students worked together in mixed teams to envision and visualize what the car of the future might look like.
After the YLD program, Chalita Saykrueboon, a student from Wat Sri Wari Noi School shared: "I am excited to learn new skills and connect with friends from other schools." At the same time, Napath Trakrudphol, a student from Wat Hau Khu School, added that, "I'm enjoying the ability to channel my inner creativity and work as a team with other students, and I'm also inspired to seek my true passion."
This experience will help both teachers and students develop future leadership skills.
"I am confident that our students will be able to apply what they learned from the program such as leadership and analytical skills to their schoolwork and share with their friends," said Acting Sub Lt. Thanamit Sarapadwised, a teacher from Wat Hau Khu School.
Amporn Chayapat, a teacher at Wat Sri Wari Noi School, agreed. "These activities helped demonstrate that STEM education doesn't just exist within the four walls of a classroom, but also in our daily life. What is most importantly is that the YLD program has been instrumental in helping guide them in the next phase of their study and has helped inspire their future careers.”
In Samut Prakan, the implementation of the youth leadership development program from Nissan has led to the improvement of both analytical and creative skills among the participants. This leadership training is designed to support the government's Thailand 4.0 initiative by using a STEM curriculum to give young Thai students the leadership and occupational skills they need to succeed.
Watch the video that captures the highlights of STEM education camp here
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About Nissan Motor (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
Nissan was established in Japan since 1933 with the commitment to create Innovation that Excites for customer satisfaction. Nissan wants to improve quality of life for people in society by pursuing a goal of zero emission vehicles and zero fatalities on the road with "Nissan Intelligent Mobility”. The company plans to introduce autonomous drive vehicles across regions for safety and more enjoyable driving experience. Nissan started business in Thailand since 1952. Currently, the Nissan Group of Companies in Thailand has subsidiaries five companies, including two of the production bases, over than 180 showrooms and service centers nationwide network. Vehicle range cover all segments includes 10 models spanning the entry level Eco-Car, SUV, Premium Sedans and Pickup Trucks.
About Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Nissan is a global full-line vehicle manufacturer that sells more than 60 models under the Nissan, INFINITI and Datsun brands. In fiscal year 2018, the company sold 5.52 million vehicles globally, generating revenue of 11.6 trillion yen. Nissan's global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan, manages operations in six regions: Asia & Oceania; Africa, the Middle East & India; China; Europe; Latin America; and North America. Nissan has partnered with French manufacturer Renault since 1999 and acquired a 34% stake in Mitsubishi Motors in 2016. The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance sold 10.76 million vehicles combined in calendar year 2018.
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For more information, please contact:
Kamolchanok Charoenjindarat
Nissan Motor (Thailand) Co., Ltd. – Communications Department
Tel +66 (0) 2339 3400 Ext. 4113-4114 www.nissan.co.th
Athipon Chiarawatchai
TQPR (Thailand) Co., Ltd. – Consultant
Email: tae@tqpr.com
Tel +66 (0) 2260 5820 Ext. 127
