MBRGI Launches ‘Global Coder’ Initiative To Teach Coding To 5 Million Youth From Disenfranchised Communities Around The World

Under the directive of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) announced today the launch of the “Global Coder” initiative.

The initiative will be jointly run by MBRGI and Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) and will teach the skill of coding to five million young people from disenfranchised communities around the world. Upon completion of the programme, youth participant will receive certifications to evidence show their new, future-economy qualification.

The major coding initiative represents a global human-centric endeavour by the UAE to spread hope and provide a bright future for the less fortunate communities in the world by equipping them with the skills and knowledge to become experts in the language of the future: coding. Having professional experience and expertise in coding, it is believed, will help disenfranchised you rise above the daily challenges and open-up opportunities for them to thrive, innovate and better their communities.

The news was announced as part of the UAE delegation’s participation in the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2020 in Davos, at the “Reimagining the World’s Biggest Challenges” Panel, organised by Global Citizen.

His Excellency Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future and Secretary General of MBRGI said: “Building on the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE is pushing a transition towards greater utilisation of technology in humanitarian efforts to empower communities. This vision is the same that UAE was founded upon, and one that provides a reference point for all its future initiatives and projects.”

He added: “The ‘Global Coder’ initiative is a signal of support and hope from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to the world’s youth. He believes that empowering the youth with knowledge lays the foundation for a stable international community. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s lead on this, the biggest global coding project, will reach 50 countries around the world.

He concluded: “Teaching five million young people how to code is the biggest worldwide project in its field, which MBRGI and DFF will collaborate to implement.”

Khalfan Belhoul, Chief Executive Officer of DFF, said: “The ‘Global Coder’ initiative will provide a fully-integrated, educational platform to teach computer science and coding in partnership with the biggest global organisations, under the supervision of internationally-certified experts to ensure the training programme is the best, most comprehensive of its kind

“The platform will be free to use for millions of young individuals from around the world and will aim to build a future global community equipped with the tools and skills of coding, and one that is qualified to positively impact the creation of technologically-driven jobs. That, in turn, will contribute towards the development of a sustainable knowledge-based economy and the enhancement of the technology sector in various communities.”

He added: “This initiative, to be implemented by MBRGI and DFF reflects the UAE’s emphasis on sharing its expertise with the world in the hope of providing a bright, promising future for youth in disenfranchised communities by equipping them with future-ready skills and capabilities, to provide them with job opportunities that can better their communities.”

MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM GLOBAL INITIATIVES

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) was established in 2015, combining under its umbrella over 30 humanitarian and developmental initiatives and entities, most of which have been launched and supported by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for more than 20 years. The Foundation’s humanitarian, social and development initiatives and entities are primarily devoted to supporting and empowering vulnerable and disadvantaged communities around the world.

The MBRGI is the largest regional foundation in terms of the number of institutional initiatives that lead wide-reaching programmes and projects on a global scale. Besides major time-bound humanitarian aid and relief operations, the MBRGI entities and initiatives also support vital societal sectors and develop practical and innovative solutions to address cultural, knowledge, economic, social, health, environment and humanitarian challenges in the region and the world.

DUBAI FUTURE FOUNDATION

DFF was launched to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Dubai along aside the launch of Dubai Future Agenda as a roadmap for the Foundation to shape the future of the strategic sectors in the medium and long term in cooperation with government and private sector entities.