SCB Promotes Youth Potential in Science, Technology, and Innovation for Community and Business Development through the 19th "SCB Challenge" Project


Siam Commercial Bank PCL (SCB) is committed to fostering youth potential and development. To further those objectives, the bank recently organized a 19th "SCB Challenge" project for high school and vocational students, encouraging them to showcase their capabilities by applying their knowledge in science, technology, and innovation to develop projects that benefit their communities and businesses in line with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. The goal is to nurture well-rounded individuals who will become valuable human resources and key drivers of the country's future sustainable development.


In addition to the competition, participating students honed essential 21st-century skills, known as the 4Cs: Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, and Creativity. They also developed scientific and technological skills through hands-on projects, applying classroom knowledge to real-world issues, and addressing community and business needs with a spirit of volunteerism and good citizenship.



In this 19th "SCB Challenge", 432 projects from 204 educational institutions were submitted. SCB selected members of 20 projects (10 from high schools and 10 from vocational colleges) to participate in a knowledge-building camp and receive funding to implement their projects over six months. The judging panel, chaired by Dr. Kalaya Udomvitid, Executive Vice President of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), included experts such as Mr. Chatchawal Sangkeettrakarn, Senior Research Engineer at the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC), Mr. Nares Hanphanpong, Assistant Production Program Manager at Amarin Television Co., Ltd., Acting Sub Lt. Piyaphong Yongphet, Deputy Director of the Research and Development Institute at Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University under Royal Patronage, and Mr. Saksit Pitipongsunthorn, Senior Vice President of SCB's Corporate Social Responsibility Division. NECTEC researchers also provided ongoing project supervision and selected eight outstanding projects (four from high schools and four from vocational colleges) for the final round.


Dr. Yunyong Thaicharoen, SCB Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Economic and Sustainability Research Officer, presided over the opening ceremony of the final round and presented awards to winners.


Competition Results

 

High School Level

  • Winner: "Doo Durian" chatbot project for durian disease diagnosis from Princess Chulabhorn Science High School, Lopburi.
  • Runner-Up: Oyster mushroom cultivation tube with evaporative cooling system from Princess Chulabhorn Science High School, Phitsanulok.
  • Honorable Mentions:
    • A smart sea lettuce farming system from Benjamarachutit School, Phetchaburi.
    • A hornet nest collection robot (version 2) from Pla Pak Witthaya School, Nakhon Phanom.


Vocational Level

  • Winner: A yarn spinning and twisting machine from Amnat Charoen Technical College.
  • Runner-Up: A jujube size sorting machine from Khao Wong Technical College, Kalasin.
  • Honorable Mentions:
    • A 3-in-1 herbal compress from Luang Prathan Ratnikorn Vocational College.
    • A semi-automatic wort extractor from Phatthalung Technical College.



Congratulations to all the talented youth teams. Winning an award is not the sole measure of success; the experience and pride gained from developing projects that sustainably solve problems and benefit communities and businesses are invaluable. For more details, please visit the SCB Challenge Facebook page.