Globally, there is a shortage of candidates with digital skills and in this technological age, coding is a highly-sought skill in any industry. “We really wanted to unlock the potential our kids have and enable them to think creatively and logically to be able to solve any problem,” said Dynamik Technologies Chief Executive Officer Haslina Taib.
She said this during a talk and workshop session for Dynamik Technologies’ Brunei Kids Can Code initiative with the support of the Brunei Economy Programme.
The talk and coding workshop was facilitated by brothers Femi and Alex Owolade-Coombes from the United Kingdom.
Femi spoke of his journey from learning to code at the age of eight to running his own coding events, delivering workshops on coding to international audiences, using the platform he created to build a community while being inclusive and demonstrating the power of peer learning and teaching.
Femi, 17, is a design, technology, and engineering scholar at Whitgift. His passion for coding led him to set up South London Raspberry Jam sharing his skills and knowledge for coding with other young people. He also set up the Tech London Advocates: Young Entrepreneurs and has received the inaugural Legacy Diana Award and the Point of Light Award.
Alex, 12, is also a design, technology, and engineering scholar at Whitgift.
He upcycles old skateboards into furniture and was invited to exhibit his work at the Tate Modern joining his brother Femi at the COP26 to create a podcast about sustainability and give his reflections from the perspective of a young person.
Deputy Permanent Secretary (Higher Education) at the Ministry of Education and Director of Dynamik Technologies Dr Chin Wei Keh was the guest of honour.
Fifty participants comprising Brunei Kids Can Code Club members as well parents and guardians attended the event.
The event’s objective was to inspire the youth to develop skills to be future ready.
The young coders joined a practical workshop on ‘Microbit Flood Detector’ conducted by Alex.
In support of the Brunei Kids Can Code initiative by Dynamik Technologies, Femi and Alex donated Microbits from the Microbit Educational Foundation.
Brunei Kids Can Code kicked off in August 2020 with a coding competition that saw an overwhelming response from students as young as seven.
Similar events will be held to ensure the future generation will develop the skills, confidence and opportunity necessary to make a difference.
