Kids taught computer skills for a better life

Dubai: For the second consecutive year, the ‘educate a child, build the nation’ initiative held its closing ceremony, rewarding 1,000 students with laptops and certificates on Wednesday.

The initiative’s aim is to help children aged between 8-13 develop their computer skills by providing them with intensive courses. Participating students were each awarded a laptop, encouraging them to continue to learn and improve.

“Through the ‘educate a child, build the nation’ initiative, we will be able to help children improve and develop modern technology skills, which will in turn provide future generations with a better, more dignified life,” said Shaikh Mohammad Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum.

Organised by Information City and held under the chairmanship of Shaikh Mohammad Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum, sponsors, students and their families were invited to attend the ceremony at Madinat Jumeirah on Wednesday.

More than 15 sponsors supported the initiative including local and global corporations such as Emirates NBD, Mashreq Bank and Baker Hughes.

Other contributors and supporters included the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Ministry of Education, Al Maktoum Foundation, Dubai Charity Association and Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation.

“Last year we targeted only children in Dubai, this year the initiative reached out to 1,000 children all over the UAE. Our aim was to provide the opportunity to educate less fortunate children about computers and different software,” said Bilal Al Husseini, project and development manager at Information City.

Not only did this initiative benefit students in need, but also benefited the companies involved by encouraging corporate social responsibility efforts.

The programme involved two-phase summer courses offering specialised lessons to educate students on how to use computers and software – such as Microsoft Office and Paint.

The first phase of the initiative was held from June 23-27 at the Etisalat Academy in Dubai, where students camped for five days.

The second phase was from August 14-27, held at the Zabeel Institute of Management and Technology in Dubai.

Shaikh Mohammad Bin Maktoum paid regular visits to the training sites, accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Education, to praise the efforts of the trainers and students.

“I am very happy I received a certificate on stage and a Fujitsu laptop. The laptop is helping me with schoolwork. I learnt how to use Microsoft Office and also paint,” said 10-year-old Mohammad Refayee Abul Hassan, from the Tandem Institute in Karama.

With education playing a key role in developing the nation’s future, this programme helped introduce young students to technology from an early age.