Dubai launches 3rd edition of the Emirati Programmer initiative

The 3rd edition of the Emirati Programmer initiative, administered by the Emirates Talent Association and Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) with the support of the Union Co-operative Society - Dubai as sponsor of the programme, has been launched. The programme has helped establish a solid foundation for developing Emirati national graduates who are equipped to lead in using advanced technology while serving the nation's goal of building a competitive economy based on knowledge and innovation.

The Emirati Programmer trains talented students aged 7 to 15 years, in coding by designing games, digital and electronic applications, and on the Cloud Campus online learning platform as among the pioneering steps aimed at enhancing a learner's innovative skills, curiosity and knowledge towards optimum use of advanced technology. The programme is based on HBMSU's blended learning model, which adopts a self-learning phase (awareness), traditional direct training phase (application), support and virtual directing phase (advising).

The first edition provided participants with the basics of programming language, games development, electronic applications, robotics programming, while the 2nd edition on artificial intelligence (AI). The 3rd edition features two new additional subjects, the Internet of things (IoT) and cyber security, in line with national efforts to build the future led by the fourth industrial revolution.

The cyber security and IoT courses aim to train young Emirati talents on the e-security skills implemented by experts and provide them with a comprehensive knowledge about concepts of IoT, its applications and security risks, as well as empowering them with the necessary tools to put knowledge into practice, in line with efforts to protect the future of smart cities and infrastructure. Participants also have the opportunity to learn how to use the Internet responsibly in everyday life, in line with the concepts of Internet safety and digital citizenship.

The 2019 edition attracted a significant number of students across the emirates, reflecting the growing confidence among the UAE community on importance of the Emirati Programmer as a valuable investment in future skills. The edition received 100 new participants for the Programming Language level, and 32 participants for the AI level. Participants for the AI level must have completed the Programming Language level in 2018. A further 14 participants enrolled for cyber security and IoT, after passing the AI 2018 programme.

HE Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chairman of Police and General Security in Dubai, Chairman of HBMSU's Board of Governors, and Chairman of the Emirates Talent Association, explained that Emirati Programmer has proved over the past two editions as a key investment to human development of promising talents, in line with the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, VP and PM of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who said that "the UAE is a young country and builds its future based on youth".

He further emphasised that the programme has made a huge leap towards empowering new generations through coding, which is the language of the future, and continues today with the launch of the third edition.

He further noted the addition of two new courses which integrates IoT to pave way for exploring its uses and value in various areas of life led by Emirati nationals equipped with the expertise, knowledge and skills in leading technological innovation which brings about development and places the UAE among the most advanced and happiest nations in the world.

Dr Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of HBMSU, said: "The Emirati Programmer programme continues to be recognised for the training it provides to an emerging generation of qualified programmers that will lead technological and cognitive innovation. These achievements will contribute to raising the UAE's global competitiveness and internationally, inspired by the directives of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, President of HBMSU who directed the need to invest in ideas and aspirations of young people as the most useful investment to build the future.

"The 3rd edition is founded on the aim to provide the participants with high-quality knowledge that directs their creative energies towards the nation's service following the UAE's march towards global leadership in various fields related to AI, IoT and other applications of the fourth industrial revolution. We look forward to the graduation of top-notch young talents in this edition of Emirati Programmer which is in line with Dubai’s Eight principles of governance to discover youth's talents and develop their capabilities in line with the rapid changes in the UAE and the world and achieve our wise leadership's vision of the future."

The third edition is scheduled to last for 12 weeks and will conclude with a hackathon from April 4 to May 4, 2019. The winners will be announced at the graduation ceremony on May 4, 2019.