Bangkok: The government is set to propose a budget of 4.5 billion baht to the Cabinet for the new phase of the Outstanding Development Opportunity Scholarship (ODOS) project. This initiative aims to provide over 7,200 scholarships for students to study both domestically and abroad. Scholarships will be distributed among three types of students, aligning with the Prime Minister’s policy to enhance the potential of Thai students to be on par with their international counterparts.
According to Thai News Agency, the Steering Committee of the ODOS Project, led by Mr. Jirayu Huangsap, the spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office, is preparing to present the guidelines for the project’s implementation to the Cabinet for approval. The project will offer scholarships to students pursuing high school or vocational certificates in Thailand and abroad. The initiative targets students with good academic results, behavior, and potential who lack opportunities, focusing on fields that meet the country’s needs, particularly in science and technology.
The ODOS project plans to allocate a total of 7,200 scholarships, covering three categories. The first category includes 4,800 scholarships for high school and vocational certificate studies in Thailand, with a budget of 990.14 million baht. The second category provides 200 scholarships for vocational certificate and bachelor’s degree studies abroad, focusing on the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, with a budget of 2,609.31 million baht. Students graduating under this category are required to work in Thailand, prioritizing regional employment. The third category offers 2,200 scholarships for domestic bachelor’s degree studies, backed by a budget of 1,000 million baht, with a similar post-graduation work requirement in Thailand.
Mr. Jirayu also mentioned that the budget request includes support from various sources, such as the Charity Lottery Project, which was endorsed by the Cabinet on April 29, 2015. This project, including the ODOS initiative, has been screened and approved by the Charity Lottery Project Review Committee for funding.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, the ODOS project seeks to address educational inequality and foster human resource development in science and technology. The project aims to enhance rational analytical thinking and competitiveness among students, contributing to Thailand’s continuous and sustainable national development. This initiative reflects the government’s dedication to ensuring that Thai children and youth possess potential comparable to that of their global peers.