Emirates Talent Association launches ‘Local Programmer' initiative in cooperation with Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University & Microsoft

UAE, January 14, 2017 – Emirates Talent Association, in cooperation with Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) and Microsoft, has officially launched today (Saturday, January 14, 2017) the ‘Local Programmer’ initiative. The program was launched in the presence of H.E. Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chairman of Police, General Security in Dubai, and Chairman of the University’s Board of Governors and Chairman of the Emirates Talent Association, receiving praise from UAE-wide educational and academic circles. The initiative will boost national efforts aimed at achieving the goals of UAE Vision 2021 in harnessing the potential of local human capital and investing in the promising talents in innovation, leadership and knowledge in order to make the UAE one of the world’s most advanced countries.

The ‘Local Programmer’ initiative has garnered remarkable interest as it is aimed at building generations of Emirati programmers who are adept in the modern technology. The innovative program will provide training on programming through designing games, digital and electronic applications using Microsoft software and Cloud Campus platform to talented students between the age of 7 and 15 years. It is a proactive step that will promote innovation, inquisitiveness, and cooperation among students when dealing with the new technology.

The new program is like a gateway that will enable students to master the programming and computational thinking systems, acquire basic skills of developing applications and electronic and digital games, and write software in TouchDevelop and KODU languages. It follows an innovative methodology that encourages exploring and learning through experience and practice in an interactive and entertaining manner, reinforcing confidence in students to deal with modern technology. This has emerged as a key priority to advance the smart transformation process in the UAE and keep up with requirements of the 21st century.

H.E. Dahi Khalfan Tamim, said: “The ‘Local Programmer’ initiative reflects the success of the Emirates Talent Association in embodying the visions related to investment in local human talent. It is in accordance with a methodology that aims to instill creativity and innovation among the youths in line with the goals of the National Innovation Strategy to prepare individuals who are talented and innovative in order to make the UAE on of the world’s top ten countries in innovation by 2021. We are so proud of our new program, which is an advanced step on the path of excellence in providing the new generation with tools that are compatible with the technology and has become the language of the new era.”

“We call upon parents to join us in our serious endeavors to translate the vision of our wise leadership in preparing the younger generations that have the knowledge and capability to explore and make the future. They can encourage their children to join the program as we are confident that it will contribute in reshaping the future of education by using learning methods that are based on creativity, innovation and smart technology,” added H.E. Dahi Khalfan Tamim.

Samer Abu-Latif, Regional General Manager, Microsoft Gulf, said: "Microsoft believes that nurturing young talents through innovative education is a major goal for the UAE, so we are working hard on initiatives that would stimulate innovation and help students overcome their challenges while providing them with the latest tools, advanced educational programs, and training courses under the supervision of IT professionals to hone their skills for the future. We are committed to support the UAE’s strategy and Vision 2021 through these education programs that contributes to the building of a knowledge-based economy. We are happy and ready to work again with HBMSU to help young people further develop their creativity and boost the UAE’s drive to become a global leader in innovation.”

The ‘Local Programmer’ initiative will conduct training workshops on every Saturday from January 14, 2017 until February 11, 2017. These workshops will be based on ‘Blended Learning’ which is adopted by HBMSU as well as virtual activities via the ‘Cloud Campus.’ The program depends on self-learning system and sources of learning within the classroom, providing greater flexibility for students by attending lessons, whether in the classroom or online via the ‘Cloud Campus’ by using any modern Internet browser on smartphones, tablets and PCs.

The ‘Local Programmer’ initiative is composed of three levels. The first level offers ‘Introduction to Computer Programming Certificate,’ which provides students with the basics of computer programming skills, while the second level awards ‘Digital Games and Applications Development Certificate,’ centering on the idea to create electronic applications and games. The third level enables students to obtain ‘Advanced Level of Developing Electronic Games and Applications.’ The program will also organize the ‘Computer Language Programming Competition’ in partnership with Microsoft, allowing students the opportunity to compete for the title of the ‘Innovative Programmer’ and ‘Hackathon.’