TrainingsConnect

To elevate the education system in nations around the world with an accessible online teaching platform. 

Many students around the world are losing the opportunity of obtaining the best education available due to their geographical location. Hence TrainingsConnect was created. Where an online teaching platform is developed in a classroom setting to be shared internationally. 

The system simulates the classroom environment and makes impairing knowledge easier no matter where the students and teachers are located. The system provides highly qualified teachers and teaching materials from Singapore to be accessed freely in various regions. 

The trend of unmotivated teachers increasing in Thailand has seen to be growing in the last 10 years based on research done by Anupong Wongchai or Chiang Mai University in 2013. The increasing number of unmotivated teachers increasing leading to a decrease in the quality of teaching presented to the student. 

In conclusion, the main aim of the project is to develop the skills of the teachers within the program. Which would have a long-term positive impact on the education system within the region. This is highly impactful in countries such as Thailand to create a  motivating environment to teach.

The shortage of qualified teachers is currently an ongoing global issue. Research done in 2018 by Dr. Radhika Kapur states the key issue for the shortage to be salary, mismatch of students and teachers due to personality differences, and lack of support. Training connect is able to reduce 2 out of the 3 issues stated above. Using the software teachers could find a student who is suited for their teaching styles. Teachers are also able to cater personalized teaching materials for an individual student. Furthermore, the support provided by our team would allow issues and dissatisfactions faced by both teachers and students quickly. Reducing the high turnout rate currently faced by the education system globally. 

Our system would also reduce resource-faced issues in the host country. Currently, the number of teachers available in Thailand would be 665,420. However, there are a total of 12,582,046 students requiring the support and attention of a qualified teacher. 

Our system would be able to solve the imbalance in the number of teachers and students to provide quality live teaching resources. With the ease of access with the content provided despite the geographic location of both parties. This would improve the education system and culture of the nation.

In Thailand, about 14 percent of secondary-school-age children are not in school. The largest proportion of children not in school are from disadvantaged communities, migrants, or children living with a disability based on a UNICEF study done in 2018. The solution would satisfy the educational resource needed for these groups of students. Furthermore, the system provided would allow all students with various backgrounds to receive a quality education within their own comfort. 

The solution targets to improve the quality of teachers in these countries. We aim to form partnerships and collaborate between local social service agencies that provide education programs and use the technology to connect with teachers from these underserved countries and set up regular online classes for students.

The main goal of the Octava challenge is to create an educational technology solution that serves the K-12 learners that is affordable and accessible. TrainingsConnect meets these requirements as the system is a low-priced system that could be accessed at any geographic location in any situation. 

The system produces learners who obtain knowledge through evidence-based educational content which leads to personal growth. Equipping students with 21st-century skills required for their work readiness. 

TrainingsConnect provides virtual lessons and quality learning opportunities to every individual from various socioeconomic backgrounds. 

Virtual lessons such as English classes, Mathematics classes, and guitar classes are conducted and supported by local educators and school leaders. These lessons equip students with both literature-based and creativity-based knowledge. Providing a diverse range of learning and a pace and style most suited to the individual.

The lead person in contact would be the team leader Pei Panintra Panasampon, Project director of TrainingsConnect. 

The TraningsConnect solution changes the culture and practices of an online learning platform. With high-level features that provide quality platform usage and a large audience capacity to cater to your every need. 

TrainingsConnect is able to conduct a lesson in an interactive classroom setting with high-definition resolution virtual lessons for more than 1000 learners at one time. Furthermore, the interaction could be done simultaneously from all 1001 users of the platform.  Providing both quality and quantity in one platform. 

The usage of the hybrid business strategy used for the market placement of the product provides TrainingsConnect the necessary competitive advantage over its competitors. 

The system has been commercialized in China for the last three years.  It provides a platform for the students to access the best teachers in Beijing and Nanjing. The system had been fitted to the user’s needs and the approach taken in china various. The test showed signs of success in the China market with a client base of 100k from private institutions. 

Furthermore, the system has been piloted locally. Where the solution has been partnered with the National Youth Council to be used for career development training and mentorship programs.  The solution had been a success with a total reach of 1,191 youths among various institutes within Singapore. 

The core technology is a newly developed technology just for use of TrainingsConnect by our external technical team. The new software was created to provide complete user satisfaction in both the interface and backhand department. The system will have to be downloaded and installed from our website to the user’s devices for a smooth solution process. 

The system consists of features such as a stable connection for videos while information is shared globally. The ability to support a large number of classes or meetings within the platform concurrently. Reduces the potential loss of audio issues, which is the 1v30 live audio quality up to 80% ( higher than competitors). Allows near-end voice dual talk mode with no information lost during the transaction. 

The system allows a higher level of interaction to occur within the platform such as page arbitrary scroll and unlimited space for online writing on the screen. These functions build the core need for a Hybrid business strategy where both quality and cost are kept in mind.

In the UNICEF 2018 study done, Thailand has ranked 57 out of 72 nations in the PISA exams. Such numbers would cause a negative long-term impact on the nation. A reason for the issue could be the lack of external help from their surroundings. Which could be due to financial or geographical constraints faced by the youths. Hence TrainingsConnect provides a one-stop solution for the problems faced by youths. 

Providing an online educational platform activity would allow knowledge to be obtained at ease with a lower cost margin. 

Which leads to a rise in the number of highly educated youth in Thailand. 

TrainingsConnect would be used to share knowledge and talents from one nation to another. As seen from the pilot program that ran in China, there was a reduction in the resources necessary for youth to obtain knowledge. The remote system allows students and teachers from different provinces to share knowledge with ease. 

The long-term goal of TrainingsConnect would be to provide educational service internationally at affordable pricing. Where the system allows the talents and skills provided by the teachers to be shared internationally with ease of mind at their fingertips.

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There are 4 main areas observed to identify the integration progress of the system. These 4 factors are the number of users of the system by students, the financial growth, investment growth, and increased integration of local teachers. 

Usage of the system

The growth in the number of clients using the systems in their local school and the increase in demand for the system through the system in the host country. Indicating the usefulness of the system among the students in the region. Where an increase in usage of the students and schools showcase the system’s acceptance within the region. 

Financial strategy 

The revenue from the system subscription cost would be a financial measurable indicator to identify the growth. Which would indicate the monetary growth of the system within the region. Providing a high potential to venture into various other nations with similar cultures and practices. 

Investment growth 

With an increase in the number of schools willing to partner up with our system to enhance their educational system. Higher demand for the usage within the primary educational system within the region would be an indicator of the system’s successful integration within the country.  

Employability growth 

An increasing number of on warding of online teachers within the system would indicate the demand and potential change made within the nation to impact in the long run. 

The pilot will establish itself in the first year of implementation in Thailand and is expected to become the 1st preferred online teaching platform in a year. 

The following years after the successful implementation, the solution will be entering into new markets such as Malaysia and Indonesia. The entrance into Malaysia and Indonesia will be done within the timeframe of 3 years. With the need of having group work to improve within Malaysia and the pre-existing success with the system in Thailand, we will be able to satisfy their need to explore the utilization of potential materials and virtual tasks with novel experiences. 

In Indonesia, the program would be conducted simultaneously to Malaysia with slight differences to the systems to fit the country's needs. Students in Indonesia are ranked based on their performance reviews. Students with results below the nation's average performance are classified as “disadvantaged students” Hence the main target ground would zoom into the “disadvantaged students” by placing more of an emphasis on functions to enhance better understanding of lessons and academic performance rather than collaborative learning. 

In the long run of 5 years, TrainingsConnect would have 3 successful ventures into Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Where the outcome of  TrainingsConnect would be able to produce 3 versions of the system off the shelf. Which would be able to be used when venturing into Vietnam and the Philippines with either of the 3 versions with little to no changes. This would also reduce the implementation timeframe of the venture.

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Barriers faced by the solution would be economical issues and cultural differences between the nations.

Firstly due to Covid 19 Thailand had to face the Emergency Decree in 2020 which led to the nation suffering a tremendous setback in their financial standing due to the issue. Which has reduced the spending power of the nation. However, the countless lockdowns by the government have posed a unique opportunity for our system to flourish within the environment. Where home education services rise, the best option is to lower the cost for school partnerships. Which will increase our revenue despite the economical issues. 

Based on Hofstede's dimension it is seen that countries such as Thailand with an uncertainty avoidance score of 64 thrive in a non-structured environment. Where the rules do not pay much importance in their daily lives. Hence a solution has to be crafted with little to no internal limitations and regulations placed on the users as compared to the pilot run in Singapore.  

Furthermore, a lower score of 32 on the long-term orientation dimension scale indicated the need for the nation to maintain traditions and norms embedded within the culture. This would present a threat such as the resistance to change of system from the community. In order to overcome the issue at hand, a stronger bond with the government and locals would be necessary to implement the program. Where initiatives to partner local teachers and schools will be increased while reducing new or foreign methods to be included. 

Octopus8 is a registered social enterprise in Singapore. Founded by Lawerance Luan and Turnbull in 2018 to create an environment that inspires individuals to make positive changes to the world through technological advancement. The organization aims to provide affordable software solutions to non-profit organizations and small and medium enterprises. The team consists of 7 full-time members and 9 part-time staff members collectively working to create trustable online communities for institutions, organizations, and people. 

The solutions developed by Octopus8 have gone through a minimum of 2 to 3 years of research and development before entering the market officially. Ensuring the consumers obtain a well operating system. By doing so Octopus8 has countless clients with who we have built trustworthy long-term relationships. 

The solution team consists of 3 FT and 1 PT. The 3 Full-timers are our CEO and business managers Karl Turnbull, Lawerance Luan, and our product manager Panintra Panasampon. With a team of 5 talented individuals in the internal technical team and additional support from our part-time external technical partner. 

The team consists of talented individuals with various capabilities to add value to the project at hand. The team works collaboratively with stakeholders such as schools to establish the brand in the market. 

Octopus8’s CEO, Lawrence Luan, provides a long-term strategic vision and identifies new revenue streams and opportunities. Where business plans have been developed to achieve success. Lawrence influences his team to develop a client-centric approach, allowing Octopus8 to develop long-term sustainable strategic partnerships that go beyond achieving business outcomes, in turn driving profitability. Partners and clients view Octopus8 to be a reliable partner. A skill that would enhance the relationship with the stakeholders within the host country. 

Karl has the robust technical knowledge, enabling Octopus8 to create solutions that are out-of-the-box creating various versions of the TrainingsConnect would be a viable possibility to be better catered to the user’s needs. He is able to gain the trust of the team that the technological aspect is taken care of, and this allows the rest to confidently deliver value-for-money solutions. Through Karl’s leadership, we are able to support our clients in their digitalization journey. 

Panintra Panasampon has 12 years of professional experience in the design industry and joined Octopus8 under the SGUnited Traineeship program. She leads the business development and marketing team to utilize digital solutions as the business strategy. She helped expand the target market to different sectors for enterprises and implements different strategies for various B2B clients. Hence developing her people skills and project management skills.

Pei as a team lead has taken part in various projects and roles to provide her with the skills and knowledge to successfully implement a new idea such as TrainingsConnect. 

Being with her value of creating an environment where education does not become a thing of the haves. Where obtaining knowledge becomes a figure of luxury. Creating an environment with a strong educational background to enhance the growth of the nation in the future and that dream will start in Thailand and end nationwide. 

With her experience from her past industry, she is able to overcome unexpected obstacles from the projects. Coordinating with people and dealing with implementation issues are common tasks faced by her. Hence the current project will be well within her skill set.

The system currently has partnered with more than 38 organizations in Singapore.

These partnerships include organizations such as higher education institutions, society organizations, business associations, and Singapore government agencies. 

Within Singapore, the system has been adopted by institutional partners such as polytechnical institutions, Private universities, and Government partners. 

An example would be NYC's interview skills classes. Where the system played a big role in hosting the event online. This partnership has currently been successfully completed with a 50% increment in the client’s list then the set goal and has been extended for a second collaboration opportunity. Where the expanded client’s numbers will be double of the past projects.

Through the partnership with Octava and MIT financial and business support to take TrainingsConnect international. Other than the financial benefits provided for the cost of the expansion, the knowledge and experience from Octava and MIT would provide us with a better standpoint of the mode of entrance and key business strategy to be used in a foreign market.

The support from Octava and the MIT team will reduce the potential both the financial and cultural challenges the program could face while entering the Thailand market. The financial support provided would equip the company to face the nation’s economic challenges caused by covid 19. The monetary benefit would support the business through the beginning stages of its venture. 

Culture differences could be reduced through the sharing of knowledge down between Octopus8 and Octava teams. Where the experience from Octova and MIT team with Thailand will educate and structure the business model to enter the market by Octopus8. Prior personal knowledge regarding the country's culture would allow us to further prepare for the launch in Thailand with ease.

The overall goal of TrainingsConnect would be to successfully venture into 5 different countries within the next 5 years. 

With the kick of the program being Thailand, the system is expected to grow on par with Thailand’s expected market growth of 84%.

A successful venture is identified and the system has to be adopted by the locals and the country's education system. Through the partnerships support the system is expected to be implemented into the country's educational system in the first quarter. Followed by the adoption by the private sector. 

The partnership could provide us with contacts for the local partners and users to play as a starting point of the venture into all 5 countries.