TOI National Grader: Driving Quality Education through SDG 4

TOI National Grader: Driving Quality Education through SDG 4

          The Faculty of Informatics, Burapha University is proud to share the progress of the TOI National Grader Platform, a key initiative that enhances computer science education in Thailand while contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — particularly SDG SDG 4: Quality Education. The Faculty is committed to developing the computational abilities of upper secondary school students by fostering both theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for analyzing and synthesizing complex problems. To achieve this goal, the TOI National Grader was developed to promote programming skills among students participating in the Thailand Olympiad in Informatics (TOI) and training camps organized by the Promotion of Academic Olympiad and Development of Science Education Foundation (POSN).

          The platform serves as a powerful tool for programming practice, offering real-time automated evaluation of source code. Its goal is to enhance computational competencies among high school students nationwide, increase participation in Olympiad training programs, and prepare students for international competitions. In addition, it plays a vital role in elevating the quality of science, mathematics, and computer education in Thai schools to meet international standards.

          The platform is developed and maintained by a team led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krisana Chinnasarn from the Eastern Software Park, Faculty of Informatics, Burapha University, in collaboration with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Punpiti Piamsa-nga and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jittat Fakcharoenphol from Kasetsart University, Asst. Prof. Dr. Jakrin Chawachat from Chiang Mai University, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Natthee Niparnan from Chulalongkorn University. The platform supports all 15 POSN Computer Science Centers across Thailand. A central server has been established, providing access through the internet, with students required to authenticate via ThaiID to ensure secure and accurate identification. The platform was officially launched on March 25, 2025. A flagship initiative utilizing this platform is TOI-Zero (Test of Informatics Zero), which enables prospective POSN Camp 1 students to gain hands-on programming experience and build familiarity with the TOI National Grader platform prior to the camp.

With its pivotal role in advancing programming education in Thailand, the TOI National Grader platform has garnered significant interest from both the academic and industry sectors. Most recently, on May 14, 2025, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krisana Chinnasarn was invited to speak as a guest lecturer in a panel discussion titled “The National Grader and the Future of Programming Education in Thailand”, alongside Assoc. Prof. Dr. Punpiti Piamsa-nga. The session was moderated by Dr. Witchaya Towongpaichayon and Asst. Prof. Dr. Pattama Charoenporn, and hosted at the Faculty of Science, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL). The discussion explored key developments and the evolving role of the National Grader system — not only as a competition evaluation tool, but also as a driving force shaping the future of computer science education in Thailand, influencing curriculum design, educational technologies, and the preparation of students for both international competitions and careers in the digital economy.

         The Impacts from this project

          High school students across the country have gained the opportunity to effectively practice and assess their programming skills through a standardized platform. This has led to improved quality in computer science education. With real-time automated evaluation, the platform expands access to high-quality learning resources nationwide. Students are able to practice, rehearse, and receive instant feedback, which fosters continuous learning and self-development. Those who undergo training through this system are well-prepared to advance to international competitions and are equipped with the skills necessary to pursue careers in the digital economy effectively.