Dhammajarinee Witthaya School pioneers learning transformation through AI and Buddhist principles to build “Bridge of Opportunity” for Thai youth

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In an era where AI technology is rapidly reshaping our world, it is critical to elevate teaching and learning methods to ensure that children can keep pace with and fully leverage future technologies, which is a vital component for Thailand’s long-term development. Dhammajarinee Witthaya School in Ratchaburi Province, Thailand’s only non-profit, all-girls residential school operating under Buddhist principles, stands as a prime example of successfully integrating global AI technology into its curriculum and holistic school management. This approach is designed to cultivate future-ready skills and unlock equal opportunities for its students.

Dhammajarinee Witthaya School is firmly committed to providing equal and unrestricted educational opportunities, welcoming underserved students from across the nation. Currently educating over 1,000 students, the school covers tuition, accommodation, meals, and even personal necessities. Microsoft’s support in providing advanced AI technology further amplifies this mission, offering invaluable access to education and crucial AI skills for youth that are increasingly vital today and in the future.

“Our vision since the very beginning has been to build a ‘bridge’ of opportunity, ensuring underprivileged children have equal access to education and knowledge,” said Dr. Aunampai Passakchai, Director of Dhammajarinee Witthaya School. “Microsoft’s robust and crucial AI support for the development of our students and staff is instrumental in fulfilling our valuable commitment: to provide inclusive educational opportunities so every child can realize their full potential.”

Dhammajarinee Witthaya School has integrated AI into its teaching, learning, and operational workflows. By weaving AI into various dimensions of the curriculum, students can accelerate their learning, achieve personalized comprehension, and develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and creative technology skills, while also instilling an understanding of cybersecurity and responsible AI usage. Beyond the classroom, AI enhances teacher efficiency by streamlining administrative tasks, so teachers have more time to design creative activities tailored to individual student development and provide closer, more personalized attention.

The school showcases diverse and comprehensive applications of AI in its curriculum. For example, in a Cover Dance class, students use Copilot to deeply understand international song lyrics, enabling them to convey emotions perfectly through dance. They also leverage AI for brainstorming creative performances, incorporating local Ratchaburi identities by adapting patterns from traditional ‘Pha Khao Ma’ fabric. In 5th-grade science, students gain a clear visual understanding of cells by using Copilot to generate detailed, colorful 3D simulations, which they then translate into clay models – transforming complex topics into easily comprehensible and tangible insights.

Another example is in junior high mathematics, where students utilize Copilot as an intelligent assistant to simplify complex concepts with friendly explanations. They use AI to create songs, stories, or poems about alternate angles, making math lessons not only easier to grasp but also filled with imagination and fun. In computer classes, beyond academic knowledge, teachers emphasize the fundamental principle of responsible AI usage. Through engaging role-playing activities, students simulate ethical and unethical AI scenarios, fostering awareness of potential consequences, cultivating discernment, data verification skills, and creative AI applications. This approach nurtures quality digital citizens for the new era.

Supahrat Juramongkol, AI Skills Director for Microsoft Elevate at Microsoft Thailand, said, “Microsoft is dedicated to empowering Thailand’s digital transformation by fostering an inclusive and sustainable AI ecosystem through our ongoing initiatives and programs. Microsoft Elevate, which aims to provide essential AI skills to help individuals and organizations thrive in the AI economy, exemplifies this commitment. Dhammajarinee Witthaya School is a testament to the profound impact of our efforts within this program. We have supported the school with AI tools like Microsoft Copilot and advanced Microsoft Surface devices for teaching and learning, alongside AI and cybersecurity training for teachers and staff. We are proud to empower Thai youth with future-ready skills, enabling them to develop themselves and eventually evolve from users into innovators.

Dhammajarinee Witthaya School stands as a success model, demonstrating how AI technology can unlock unparalleled learning opportunities for Thai youth, fostering equal access and maximizing individual potential. The Microsoft Elevate program will continue its mission to empower Thais with AI, empowering them to go beyond boundaries and achieve greater success, while collectively driving the nation forward robustly in the digital world.

Microsoft has provided educational institutions and educators with comprehensive access to AI toolkits and knowledge resources, equipping them with practical AI knowledge and responsible implementation strategies, thereby elevating instructional effectiveness and preparing learners for the digital age. As part of this effort to support classroom adoption, a total of 114,509 Thai teachers across the country have received practical AI skills training through Microsoft Elevate for Educators. Interested parties can find more information at AI Skills for Educators | Microsoft CSR.