UAE: Two-week virtual spring coding camp for high school students

Abu Dhabi - Participants will learn how to read and write code, develop cognitive skills, and learn a methodical and problem-solving technique.

A select group of 30 high school students will take part in a two-week virtual spring camp on coding and programming being organised by the Khalifa University of Science and Technology.

The Ektashif Spring - School Coding Camp, which started on Sunday (March 28), is designed specifically to cover topics in basic understanding and appreciation of various essential programming-language constructs, paradigms, evaluation criteria and language implementation issues.

Participants will learn how to read and write code, develop cognitive skills, and learn a methodical and problem-solving technique by breaking down complex problems into units. They will also gain related skills such as logical thinking by selection and use of logical statements, as well as structural thinking by combining small units to find the outcome. Most importantly, they will realise the significance of perseverance and the mental strength to resolve any problem related to non-functioning of components.

Dr Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, executive vice-president, Khalifa University, said: “The two-week camp aims to bring awareness to high school students on the importance of learning basic language skills that will help them develop refined analytic skills and clear, concise communication abilities. This camp is part of Khalifa University’s initiative to empower youth, not only through academic programmes and research, but also through outreach programmes such as Ektashif. We hope participants from high schools will take advantage of this opportunity to develop a problem-solving mindset, gain skills that make them well-versed in data structures and algorithms design, while learning multiple technologies and programming languages.”

The camp is inspired by the UAE’s strategic goals. The UAE’s digital economy places significant importance on computer skills, demanding a fresh approach to education. Following the launch of programmes such as the annual One Million Arab Coders initiative, coding has become a focus for the UAE. With software and computers impacting every part of life, it has become imperative for school students to learn about algorithms, ways to develop an app and understand the functioning of the internet.

With 90 per cent of jobs requiring digital skills, employability in the coming years depends on students being digitally literate, thus making the Ektashif Spring camp even more relevant for today’s students.

At the end of the two-week camp, participants will present their coding project results. Certificates of completion will be awarded on April 8.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com