Microsoft Malaysia Decodes Diversity to mark Computer Science Education Week

 |   Pankaj Kumar Sharma

  • Microsoft Malaysia organizes Hour of Code sessions in partnership with Schools in Hospitals, Yayasan Chow Kit and Kechara Soup Kitchen to empower youth to learn computer science
  • In conjunction with the global Computer Science Education Week, Microsoft creates opportunities for underserved youth to experience coding

Kuala Lumpur, 22 December 2016 – Microsoft Malaysia celebrated Computer Science Education Week by facilitating interactive coding experiences for youth in communities across Malaysia, including youth in hospitals, undocumented youth/refugees and youth with diffabilities to learn the basics of computer science.

Microsoft Malaysia’s Computer Science Education Week featured Hour of Code sessions that also celebrated International Day for Persons with Disabilities (December 3rd), Human Rights Day (December 10th) and International Day for Migrants (December 18th). With empowerment and inclusion as the end goal, Microsoft engaged with partners such as Schools in Hospitals, IDEAS Academy, Malaysian Social Research Institute, Yayasan Chow Kit and Kechara Soup Kitchen that came together to organize and deliver the coding sessions to young people and children in hospitals, and at-risk and underserved youth.

K Raman, Managing Director of Microsoft Malaysia stated, “With an aim to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, we are proud to enable opportunities to demystify computer science and deliver basic coding lessons to these underserved youth. We hope that they will benefit from and enjoy the sessions, and perhaps the opportunity will encourage more youth to pursue technology careers”.

An October 2016 LinkedIn study showed that the top 10 skills employers are seeking in potential candidates are mostly technology-related. The ability to mine data and conduct statistical analysis was the second most sought-after skill while knowledge in cloud computing topped the list.

“With the fourth industrial revolution, we are moving from being consumers of technology to creators of technology, and we truly want to create equal opportunities to inspire all young people to learn computer science – no matter what their circumstances are”, added Jasmine Begum, Director of Legal, Corporate and Government Affairs for Microsoft Malaysia and Emerging Markets.

The Journey of Hour of Code in Malaysia in 2016

This year’s Hour of Code campaign was launched on 15th November during the BETT Asia Summit. 70 undocumented youth, youth with diffabilities and youth from underserved communities were introduced to coding, computational thinking and computer science concepts via a satellite event. The campaign also saw steadfast support from The Minister of Education Y.B. Dato’ Seri Mahdzir Bin Khalid who graced the event, joined by Her Excellency Vicky Treadell, British High Commissioner to Malaysia, and K Raman, Managing Director of Microsoft Malaysia.

Throughout November and December, Microsoft Malaysia, powered by its team of volunteers, worked tirelessly to extend the benefits of technology to children and young people in schools in hospitals , and to marginalized communities in Malaysia via 111 Hour of Code events.

In partnership with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education’s Schools in Hospitals, Microsoft volunteers conducted Hour of Code sessions in three pediatric wards in Hospital Kuala Lumpur, including the dialysis unit and the oncology ward. The cross-ministry engagement (Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health) reached over 40 youth of various abilities and ages.

Meanwhile, the Hour of Code session conducted with Kechara Soup Kitchen delivered lessons to 30 youth who were interested to learn computer science, while the Hour of Code session conducted with Yayasan Chow Kit reached at-risk youths based in and around Kuala Lumpur.