FutureEd Fest 2024—an illustrious national celebration of education, hosted by the innovative Starfish Education—returned with a bang for its sophomore edition on the vibrant morning of the 5th of October, 2024. The iconic Central Postal Building in lively Bangkok was abuzz with excitement as this year’s theme, “EduInnovate: Crafting the Future of Learning,” resonated through the halls. The festival served as a melting pot for educational luminaries and enthusiasts, attracting participation from key partners like the Office of the Secretary-General of the Education Council, the Office of the Teacher and Educational Personnel Commission (OTEPC), and many more. The event drew a harmonious mix of over 30 organizations from both the public and private sectors, including schools and universities.
The foundation built last year paved the way for a grand encore as FutureEd Fest 2024 magnetized a diverse crowd of over 2,000 participants. The festival’s showcase was a dazzling array of educational innovations and breakthrough technologies, with a spotlight on Maker Education as a catalyst to hone essential skills required in the ever-evolving professional landscape.
The vibrant tapestry of activities featured keynote speeches from renowned education experts, insightful panel discussions on modern education tailored for the AI era, and dynamic workshops held in both onsite and hybrid formats. The Meet-Up Café fostered a sense of community learning networks, while a thrilling student pitching competition spotlighted the innovative ideas of young minds. The crescendo of the festival was the prestigious Thailand Future Ed Awards, a salute to exemplary teachers and schools that shone in their field. Complementing these were exhibitions of cutting-edge educational innovations and an electrifying Maker Fest showcasing inventive projects from myriad institutions.
With 23 dynamic workshops, 6 engaging panel sessions, 7 enlightening keynote speeches, 12 sensational exhibitions, 10 Maker Fest schools, 5 bustling Meet-Up Cafés, and 17 teams of finalists culled from over 200 national applicants, the festival was a veritable hive of activity. The esteemed Thailand Future Ed Awards lauded 10 trailblazing teachers and schools, while also bestowing certificates upon 10 organizational leaders passionately driving educational change. These activities played a pivotal role in creating meaningful opportunities, addressing the critical need for modern education and nurturing a vibrant culture of learning.
In a moment of profound insight, Dr. Nanthaporn Janchalia Seributra, the visionary CEO of Starfish Education, reflected, “As the initiators of FutureEd Fest, we fervently uphold that lifelong learning is the new global standard. Adaptability is paramount. While technology amplifies our capabilities, it is not a replacement, and the cornerstone of success is personalizing learning to meet individual needs.”
The festival’s star-studded lineup was graced by the presence of Dr. Siripong Angkasakulkiat, the astute Deputy Minister of Education. His keynote address delivered a resounding reminder, “Education must be flexible and gentle enough to accommodate the dreams of children, which may vary. It must be safe enough for them to explore and find their own dreams.” His words reverberated through the festival, underscoring the benefits of such an educational gala for all stakeholders, from educators and directors to teachers and parents. They walked away inspired by fresh ideas and eager to craft responsive learning experiences that spur true development.
FutureEd Fest 2024 was a remarkable testament to collaborative power, made possible by the ardent support of a network of 22 organizations dedicated to enriching Thai education:
- Office of the Secretary-General of the Education Council
- Office of the Teacher and Educational Personnel Commission (OTEPC)
- Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
- The Equitable Education Fund (EEF)
- Office of Educational Innovation Management
- Thai PBS
- ALT TV
- Thai Education Network (TEP)
- Starfish Education
- Octava Foundation
- SEAMEO STEM-ED
- Saturday School
- I AM KRU
- TK Park
- Inkfinity Visual Note
- Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce
- Thai Astronomical Society
- Spark Education
- Like Me X Co., Ltd.
- I-Make Innovation Co., Ltd.
- True Corporation Public Company Limited
Catch up on the riveting Keynote Speeches, captivating Panel Discussions, innovative Pitching Competitions, and the awe-inspiring Thailand FutureEd Awards presentations here:
- Live1: FutureEd Fest 2024 – EduInnovative-Crafting the Future of Learning: Link
- Live2: The grand educational festival returns! FutureEd Fest 2024 reinforces the success of last year with a variety of activities waiting for everyone to enjoy: Link
Stay connected and follow our journey on Facebook:
- FutureEd Fest: Facebook Link
- Starfish Labz: Facebook Link
- Starfish School: Facebook Link
Explore more on our Websites:
- FutureEd Fest: Website Link
- Starfish Education: Website Link
Why does every educational festival nowadays have to highlight AI and technology as if it’s a fix for everything?
Because AI is transforming every industry, education shouldn’t be left behind! It’s about time schools catch up.
Sure, but shouldn’t there be a balance? Not everyone learns best through tech.
Yes, technology shouldn’t be the sole focus. Personal interaction is crucial.
It’s amazing to see so many organizations rallying for education. The impact could be massive!
If only all those organizations were as committed to action as they are to showing up at events.
True, the follow-through is what we’ll have to watch for!
Let’s hope this isn’t just another banner moment with little substance behind it.
Is it just me or do these festivals sound more like networking events for adults than actual learning opportunities for kids?
How are educational events like this one being funded? Is it public or private money that’s making these festivals possible?
It varies from event to event, but many are a mix of both public funding and private sponsorships.
Well, I hope there’s transparency about where the money goes!
The idea of the Meet-Up Café sounds innovative, fostering community learning! But are these truly effective or just a fad?
They can be effective if executed well. The problem is they sometimes end up being more social than educational.
I see what you mean, but social interactions can aid learning too.
With the push for Maker Education, shouldn’t there be a better emphasis on theory? Practical skills are great, but theory is the foundation.
Dr. Siripong’s speech about educating to accommodate children’s dreams is inspiring! More educational leaders should adopt this mindset.
Absolutely inspiring, but how many schools sure that this approach happens day-to-day?
I was at the event! So much energy and creativity in one place. It was overwhelming but exciting.
I think the panel discussions should be made available online for wider reach. Not everyone can attend in person.
How does Starfish Education plan to sustain this momentum outside the festival? That’s the real test.
The Thailand FutureEd Awards are a great touch. Recognition can really motivate educators to push for innovation.
It’s all fun and games until these ‘innovative ideas’ become outdated. Education should evolve naturally rather than be forced by flashy trends.
Most changes in education have been forced by need rather than gradual evolution.
It’s ironic that we talk about modern education, but so many schools are still struggling with basic resources.
Yes, not all schools can afford to innovate at the same pace. It creates a huge gap.
I wonder how many of these innovative ideas actually make it into the classroom and aren’t just dismissed after the festival.
Focusing too much on tech in education risks losing touch with humanities and social sciences.
A good balance is essential; tech aids but shouldn’t overshadow traditional disciplines.
Seeing so much attention given to these festivals, it makes me question if traditional schools are becoming redundant.