Excellent! 4 IT Students Pass Young Webmaster Camp 20th Edition
In an era where digital technology is the key to the future, being part of the Young Webmaster Camp (YWC) is a tremendous opportunity for young people interested in web technology. This includes 4 students from the School of Information Technology and Innovation who passed this intensive selection process, led by Peem Pirawish Pathumngoen from Computer Science, Rafa Nantita Damrongpanawan from Computer Science - Data Science and Cybersecurity, Nan Saralee Yeesaeng from Computer Science, and Carrot Pariyakorn Saelao from Game and Interactive Media.
Young Webmaster Camp is a highly popular youth technology camp in the Web Development field, organized by the Thai Web and Online Media Association at no cost, aimed at producing new digital personnel ready to enter the workforce in the future.
The Path to Success Isn't Easy
The YWC selection process is divided into 2 rounds. In the first round, applicants must submit their portfolio along with answers to the annual challenge question. "This year's challenging question was How do we develop a web that has been around for a long time? Those who pass the criteria advance to the interview round. The camp is divided into 4 tracks: Web Design, Web Programming, Web Marketing, and Web Content. Each track has different questions and evaluation processes. During the interview, the committee looks at mindset and thinking approach, including redesign concepts," all 4 students shared their experiences together. The 4 selected students include Peem Pirawish as the only representative who chose Web Programming, while the other 3 - Rafa Nantita, Nan Saralee, and Carrot Pariyakorn - chose Web Design.
Pre-Camp: Building Foundation Before the Real Battle
Peem explained, "Before the actual camp, there's a Pre-camp session that teaches knowledge covering all 4 tracks in online format. Senior students teach and various companies share real experiences over 2 weeks. We can join every session or choose only the tracks we like. Interestingly, participation in each session accumulates points that affect camp scores as well."
4 Days 3 Nights at Thai PBS Television Station
Carrot described the camp atmosphere: "After Pre-Camp, everyone joined the actual 4-day 3-night camp at Thai PBS Television Station headquarters. The camp is divided into 2 main parts. The first part is Open Class, learning knowledge specific to chosen tracks with J-MAT seniors from previous years and various companies providing training. The second part is the camp highlight - a 15-hour Hackathon competition. The camp groups participants so each team has people from different tracks working together. Each group includes diverse people: working professionals, high school students, and university students. This year's Hackathon theme was 'Web Never Die' - create a website you think will never die."
Creative Ideas from BU Students
Nan shared about each group's work: "We were separated into different groups. Carrot's group created a community web for Thai artists to buy and sell artwork. Peem created a web for finding hangout friends to solve the problem of people wanting to go out but having no friends to go with. Rafa created a web for stargazing enthusiasts with gurus and experts sharing knowledge. My group won 1st place with a web for renting home repair equipment, featuring tools from small to large sizes."
This Camp Gave More Than Expected
Rafa, who is one of the representatives participating in many activities, admits that joining this camp provided experiences no less valuable than anywhere else: "I was lucky to get to know the camp seniors and had the opportunity to work behind the scenes with staff in preparing the camp before the project started. This gave me experience both as a participant and in backstage work, including teamwork with others."
Peem, Nan, and Carrot unanimously said that what they gained most was "learning teamwork, meeting diverse new friends including working professionals, high school students, and university students, seeing different perspectives, and importantly, igniting the fire within ourselves after meeting talented new people."
Inspiration for Juniors
The success of these 4 students not only brings fame to Bangkok University but also serves as inspiration for juniors interested in technology. "For anyone interested in joining Young Webmaster Camp next year, prepare by practicing skills, developing portfolios, and keeping an open mind to learn new things. This camp not only provides technology knowledge but also cultivates teamwork skills and lasting friendships."
