National recognition for educational innovation at St Andrews Bangkok by the Office of the Private Education Commission (OPEC) in Thailand

St Andrews is proud to share that Mr Rob, Computer Science Teacher, VEX Robotics Lead, and Data Protection & Security Compliance Manager, has been recognised as Thailand’s No. 1 innovator in education by the Office of the Private Education Commission (OPEC).

At the award ceremony, Mr Rob received the prestigious Certificate of Honour – “Thai Award” for Outstanding Educational Innovation of the Year, recognising his contribution to innovation and technology education in Thailand.

This achievement reflects not only Mr Rob’s individual excellence, but also the calibre of educators at St Andrews, who are committed to preparing students with the knowledge, skills and mindset they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Educators who inspire future-ready skills

At St Andrews, educators are more than subject specialists. They bring passion, expertise and real-world experience into the classroom, inspiring students to become curious thinkers, creative problem-solvers and confident innovators.

Through his work leading VEX Robotics across the school, establishing STEAM Labs, a Bangkok-based technology and robotics education studio, and founding the Robotics, Automation & Technology for Education (RAT) Foundation, a non-profit established in 2025, Mr Rob has helped expand opportunities for students to engage with STEM education across Thailand and Asia.

His approach helps students develop coding, robotics, problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability skills through practical experiences that connect classroom learning with the real world.

From classroom challenge to student-led innovation

One example of this approach came in early 2025, when Mr Rob introduced the VEX CTE Workcell into the IGCSE Computer Science curriculum.

Designed to simulate the automation systems used in modern factories, manufacturing and the automotive industry, the Workcell allows students to explore how code can control physical hardware and automated systems.

When the Workcell first arrived at St Andrews, however, it was not fully operational. Rather than simply waiting for a solution,Year 11 student Mathias took on the challenge under Mr Rob’s guidance.

Mathias programmed the robotic arm to interact with the conveyor belt and pneumatic systems, then drew on his Design Technology skills to create custom CAD models and 3D-printed components to improve the system. Among his innovations were specialised containers that helped the Workcell hold and sort its disks more efficiently.

The result was a fully operational Workcell that future students could use. More importantly, the project demonstrated the value of giving students the freedom to design, build, test and improve their own solutions.

The project later became a case study for VEX educators internationally. During VEX training days hosted by Mr Rob for educators from 12 international schools, Mathias presented his work, demonstrating how automation concepts can come to life through student-led learning.

Applying learning to real-world challenges

Mr Rob’s approach extends beyond robotics and Computer Science. He encourages students to apply technology and engineering to challenges they can see in the world around them.

Following the earthquake in Bangkok in March 2025, Year 8 Design Technology students designed an earthquake simulator based on the city’s seismic activity. Using VEX components, they engineered shaking platforms and reinforced towers to investigate structural resilience.

Guided by Mr Rob, students explored concepts including load distribution and base isolation, using sensors and programmable motors to test and refine their designs.

Experiences like these help students see how classroom learning applies to real-world challenges, while building the creativity, resilience, and critical thinking needed to tackle unfamiliar problems.

Growing robotics education across Thailand and Asia

Mr Rob has also helped expand opportunities for students through VEX Robotics. As Thailand’s official VEX Robotics Event Partner, he has supported competitions including the VEX IQ Challenge and VEX V5 Robotics Competition, helping them grow from local tournaments into national-level events and creating opportunities for students to compete internationally.

On 21 February 2026, St Andrews hosted one of these events, welcoming students and educators from schools across Thailand. The event brought the robotics community together and allowed students to test their skills, collaborate and gain experience in a competitive environment.

Mr Rob has also led award-winning VEX robotics teams to national titles and the World Championships, while hosting training and competition events that bring students and educators together around robotics and STEAM education.

Creating opportunities through the RAT Foundation

Through the RAT Foundation, Mr Rob is helping connect classroom learning with the skills and technologies shaping the future of work, including automation, AI and other emerging technologies.

Initiatives such as the RAT Open Platform Robotics Competition and RAT Hack hackathon give students from diverse backgrounds opportunities to collaborate, experiment and showcase their ideas.

Together with his work through STEAM Labs, these initiatives are helping broaden access to technology education and create new opportunities for young people across Thailand and Asia.

A collective achievement for St Andrews

For Mr Rob, the recognition is ultimately about the students and the wider St Andrews community.

“I’m incredibly grateful for this recognition, but I see it as a reflection of the wider St Andrews community. I’m passionate about technology and robotics because of the opportunities they create for students to explore, experiment and discover new possibilities. If we can spark their curiosity, inspire them to learn something new, or even encourage them to pursue a future career they hadn’t considered, then we’ve made a real difference. St Andrews genuinely supports teachers to bring their passions and ideas into the classroom, and that makes this recognition a celebration of the whole community.”

Mr Rob’s work reflects the wider approach at St Andrews: creating opportunities for students to explore their interests and passions, apply their learning and develop the confidence to take their ideas further.