It may take slightly longer than the next 1001 nights for the Middle East to reach its goal of nurturing and skilling up one million software development ‘coders’ throughout the Arab League’s 22 nations. After all, 1001 nights is only just over two and half years. That being said, the programme has already recruited over a half a million aspiring techies, all of whom want to be ready with computing skills for the next stage of the digital industrial revolution.
The One Million Arab Coders programme is part of the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives (MBRGI), the charitable foundation dedicated to spreading education and knowledge across the Arab world.
The programme’s aim is part of a long term economic transformation being played out in all Arab nations. Farming and subsistence economies are being replaced by burgeoning business districts populated by startups and international investors. More heavily developed oil and raw materials hubs are being turned into tourism, transport and communications zones.
New tools of a new trade
As these developments play out across the Middle East, the use of information technology and a reliance on data and information services is common. The risk we face is launching ourselves into this new digital future without the skills base to operate the new tools of this new trade. We need Arab born, Arabic speaking, Arabian thinking coders and software innovators to create the new Middle East which will be run key technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, cognitive sciences and data analytics.
While some physical meetups will be carried out where possible, the programme’s foundation lies in the provision of online courses and certifications. The greatest levels of interest so far have come from programme applicants in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Syria and Iraq. Crucially, the programme is open to Arabs, not to expatriates who happen to be living in the Middle East.
"The overwhelming response in the first [stage of this programme] shows how timely and necessary this initiative is and demonstrates the eagerness of our region’s young people to take on advanced technology skills," said Abdullah Bin Touq, acting chief executive of the Dubai Future Foundation.
Four different ‘tracks’
The programme is recruiting both students and tutors. It breaks down into four different and distinct ‘tracks’: Front End Web Development, Back End Web Development, Data Analysis and Android Development. Enterprise companies who have already offered sponsorship, training and other types of engagement include DAMAC, Oracle, SAP, Careem, Consensys, Emirates NBD, UDACITY and Barmej.com.
"The initiative supports the aspirations of the youth to stay abreast of global technological developments. The international support and strategic partnerships this initiative has attracted highlights its importance and relevance,” said Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, UAE minister of state for Artificial Intelligence.
His Excellency Mohammed Al Gergawi, secretary general of the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives (MBRGI), commended the DAMAC Foundation for its support. “Our private-sector institutions are key partners in our development. It is our shared responsibility to build a positive regional environment, as envisioned by the UAE’s leadership, and to create a culture of giving, building our future, and enhancing our competitiveness globally,” said Al Gergawi.
Three phased initiative
The initiative, which is also managed by the Dubai Future Foundation, consists of three phases to be completed over two years. The first phase includes enrolment by Arab students and tutors from across the world at www.arabcoders.ae. Here, 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 more advanced courses, scholarships and vocational courses. In the third stage, the top 10 coders will be selected. The first-place winner will receive an award of $1 million, while the remaining nine will receive $50,000 each. The top four tutors will receive $200,000, $50,000 each.
Current statistics suggest that, globally, approximately 80 million jobs will be available in 2020 in software, smart phone applications and web development. The Middle East has a responsibility to be part of that new economy and to lead the world with Arab-made technology that non-Arabic speaking nations seek out. One Million Arab Coders is no folk tale or fable, this is our future and it’s happening now.