Microsoft and DP Education joins hands to empower Sri Lankan youth with digital skills

Powered by Microsoft Technology, DP Education aims to upskill and create a million young coders and reduce national unemployment

Colombo, Sri Lanka – May 23, 2023 – Microsoft Sri Lanka and DP Education, the education arm of the non-profit Dhammika and Priscilla Perera Foundation, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently to prepare the nation’s youth in digital literacy and skills as they enter the workforce.

Within the next three years, DP Education aims to establish 331 coding schools and robotics campuses in all Divisional Secretariats across the country enabling over 165,000 students the opportunity to learn AI, coding, robotics and computer programming free of charge. Microsoft will provide technological support as they roll out the programs island wide.

The centers will be equipped with over seven thousand computers and every location will be equipped with educational robots to enhance STREAM learning. STREAM encompasses the STEM subjects of Science Technology, Engineering and Math combined with Reading and Arts for a broader education.

Microsoft 365 A1, the technology being offered to DP Education, includes a category of tools designed to help improve learning outcomes with actionable insights and enable collaborative classrooms wherever the educators may be when delivering courses. DP Education provides courses in three languages to students from ages 3 years upwards.

The MoU was signed by Dhammika Perera, Chairman and Founder, DP Education and Harsha Randeny, Country Manager for Microsoft Sri Lanka and Maldives.

A group of people dressed in formal attire pose for a photo after signing a Memorandum of Understanding
Harsha Randeny, country manager for Microsoft Sri Lanka and Maldives, and Dhammika Perera, Chairman and Founder, DP Education with representatives from Microsoft Sri Lanka, and Dhammika and Priscilla Perera Foundation at the signing of the MoU.

“Coding is the new language of the world. All, including girls, should learn how to code and be part of the digital world. DP Education Coding School will produce one million Sri Lankan coders to build and drive the digital economy of Sri Lanka,” said Dhammika Perera, Chairman and Founder, DP Education.

Harsha Randeny, country manager for Microsoft Sri Lanka and Maldives said, “We are delighted to collaborate with DP Education on upskilling the youth of our country. The recently launched Microsoft Work Trend Index Annual Report for 2023 shows employers will be prioritizing a workforce with an aptitude for AI. It is imperative that we prepare our youth for the future of work by equipping them with the right skills the future workforce would expect.”

Microsoft will support DP Education in promoting an inclusive culture to produce more female coders in the future. Sri Lanka’s female labor force participation rate was 32.1% in 2022.

There are currently more than 20 DP Education AI, Coding and Robotic Campus centres in Sri Lanka.

About Microsoft

Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

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