Children across Lebanon between the ages of 6 and 18 will have access to free online coding courses in English, French and Arabic. BDD Academy is paving the way for children to step into the world of computer science and coding, through a partnership with Code.org, the global nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to computer science to the youth.
By participating in these virtual courses, children will learn how to code through basic games offered for free, from the comfort of their homes. By adding a hint of fun to learning, children can enhance their skillsets and advance in STEAM education (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics).
Studies have shown that learning to code at a young age has many benefits. First and foremost, children will be poised to be more competitive in the future workplace. In addition, by gaining digital skills, children can work towards closing the talent gap in the market.
“As the world continues to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, school closures have left tens of millions of students at home,” shares Hadi Partovi, Founder of Code.org. “We invite parents and children to explore the world of coding through our online resources. Students can continue learning in a fun and engaging way from the comfort of their homes, while preparing for the future,” he adds.
“Preparing children for the future workplace is our shared responsibility,” says Mouhamad Rabah, CEO of BDD. “Through the BDD Academy, and in collaboration with the World Bank Group and Code.org, we are investing in the Lebanese youth, to become more competitive, and learn the vital digital skills, that leading companies are searching for,” he adds.
Since its founding, the BDD Academy has been committed to incubate and promote educational programs at the intersection of leadership, design and technology. The nonprofit organization covers 3 tracks, which include specialized courses for the youth and graduates, as well as continuous learning.
For more information, visit beirutdigitaldistrict.com/bdd-academy to find out more and sign up now.
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About the BDD Academy
The BDD Academy is a not-for-profit organization, committed to develop the skill sets of individuals from all backgrounds, to fulfill the digital jobs of today and tomorrow. It serves as an incubator of educational programs at the intersection of design, technology and leadership targeting Kids, University Students and Continuous Learners. The BDD Academy supports the new generation of educational programs, by testing and developing their curricula, sourcing participants and scaling.
About the World Bank Group
The World Bank Group is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. The World Bank Group is governed by 189 member countries and delivers services out of 130 offices with nearly 16,000 staff globally.
The World Bank Group launched the Skilling Up Mashreq (SUM) initiative which aims at addressing this skills gap by preparing young women and men in Lebanon and the Mashreq region for the local, regional and global jobs of the future and attracting digital technology players to invest in the region. In Lebanon, the World Bank Group has partnered with the BDD Academy to design and implement a national skilling up program to improve access to digital skills learning opportunities for children in school, youth in universities, and active individuals in the workforce to strive and reap the benefit of a digital economy.
About Code.org®
Code.org® is a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to computer science in schools and increasing participation by women and underrepresented youth. Our vision is that every student in every school has the opportunity to learn computer science, just like biology, chemistry or algebra.
