On July 14, 2023
the Office of Health Promotion Fund, in collaboration with the Center for Media Creation for Children, Adolescents, and Families (Media Move), joined hands with the Foundation for Anti-Gambling Advocacy and the Faculty of Industrial Education and Technology at Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, to create a collaborative effort aimed at promoting a health communication system through nurturing groups of young individuals in the use of media as a tool to enhance public health awareness regarding the hazards of online gambling. This collaboration took place during the Hackathon 4Health camp held at the Studio Room of the Faculty of Industrial Education and Technology at Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya in Songkhla province.
Asst. Prof. Piya Prasongchan, Dean of the Faculty of Industrial Education and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, mentioned the significance of this joint activity and the ongoing collaboration between the National Health Security Office (NHSO) and the Center for Media Creation for Children, Adolescents, and Families in developing and nurturing students' knowledge and skills in using media as a tool for personal and societal development through creative thinking and innovation. The Hackathon camp served as an intriguing learning process that challenged the participants to explore issues related to the timely topic of online gambling hazards. This issue is particularly relevant, given the increasing risks faced by children and students, who are vulnerable to falling victim to gambling-related dangers. The camp aimed to foster experiences and life skills in becoming effective communicators, and the Faculty of Industrial Education and Technology was fully prepared to support and participate in driving the development of a media ecosystem for health communication, as well as fostering students' innovative media skills for social development.
Mr. Thanakorn Komkrish, Secretary-General of the Foundation for Anti-Gambling Advocacy, was honored to participate as a speaker and a committee member in the Hackathon camp. He praised the students' creative ideas that emphasized personal experiences in communicating the adverse effects of gambling, as it could lead to severe consequences, including addiction and significant impacts on family, work, and financial aspects. He highlighted the transformative power of creative thinking in addressing health communication topics, particularly the pressing issue of online gambling, which is crucial given the growing impact on the well-being of the younger generation. The Hackathon camp marked a promising start in transforming their perspectives and abilities to communicate effectively with society.
Mr. Haris Matsay, Project Manager of the camp, expressed his gratitude to the collaborative effort in creating a media environment for health promotion this time, which focused on the dangers of gambling and aimed to develop the younger generation, especially in Thailand, through media education. As the days go by, the increasing strength of the younger generation has various impacts on the dimensions of well-being. This event was a meaningful collaborative platform involving the Foundation for Anti-Gambling Advocacy, Media Move Network, and volunteers from Songkhla Rajabhat University, which contributed to the continuous development of creative media for social communication. The camp engaged over 120 youth participants, forming six teams, who were privileged to receive mentoring from esteemed speakers, including Mr. Thanakorn Komkrish, Secretary-General of the Foundation for Anti-Gambling Advocacy; Mr. Narutburdi Chantarod, Media Move Network; Mr. Rachadiep Binwang, Head of Development, Volunteers at Songkhla Rajabhat University; Asst. Prof. Nattapong Manlee, Asst. Prof. Jukkrit Kaewpresert, and Mr. Alavee Hazanee, lecturers from Mass Communication Technology Course, Faculty of Industrial Education and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, all of whom provided guidance during the Hackathon 4Health camp.
The Hackathon 4Health camp was a process that applied business development concepts to becoming social media entrepreneurs to develop creative platforms under the theme of creative health communication. It involved a predetermined timeframe, starting with idea generation, thorough research, and culminating in idea presentations, aiming to transform ideas into real and applicable platforms for target groups and areas of operation.
In conclusion, the Hackathon 4Health camp held in the southern region of Songkhla province at the Faculty of Industrial Education and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, was a collaborative effort that supported the development of a media ecosystem to address the hazards of online gambling and to foster the younger generation by empowering them to utilize media as a tool for personal transformation and societal change.
