First week of ‘One Million Arab Coders’ initiative draws 500,000 global applications

DUBAI: Over half a million people from 22 countries around the world have applied to participate in ‘One Million Arab Coders’ initiative. Launched by The Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the initiative seeks to train a million young people in coding techniques to empower Arab youth and arm them with tools to succeed in the age of technology.

The overwhelming majority of applicants, 95 per cent, are applying to study rather than be trainers, and who want to add technology and coding skills to their education. The largest proportion of applicants came from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Syria, and Iraq.

Abdullah Bin Touq, Acting CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, said, “This overwhelming response in the first week alone shows how timely and necessary this initiative is, and demonstrates the eagerness of our region’s young people to take on advanced technology skills.”

He added that after the end of the period of direct submission of e-learning materials starting next January, which will last for two years, through which the choice of the best programmers and trainers in the fields of programming and technology.

The One Million Coders initiative consists of three phases to be completed over two years. The first phase includes enrolment of Arab students and tutors from across the world. Participants can begin free education training, and receive a certificate at the end of each course.

In the second phase, the top 1,000 students will be selected through the ‘Coders Challenge,’ and they will be able to enrol in, and receive, more advanced courses, scholarships and vocational courses for professionals. In the third stage, the top 10 coders are chosen. The first-place winner will receive an award of US$1 million, while the remaining nine will receive US$50,000 each. The top four tutors will receive US$50,000 each.

The initiative will empower young Arabs with knowledge, and participants will enjoy the advantage of being part of a community that plays a key role in various key economic sectors, particularly e-commerce, IT and software engineering.

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