To train ICT and Computer Science programme for more than 200,000 students in remote areas

After more than three years of implementation, the wild spread and positive effect of the project on students is really remarkable. In the 12 localities where the project was implemented, including Hoa Binh, Quang Ninh, Thai Nguyen, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong, Kien Giang, Soc Trang, An Giang, TP Ho Chi Minh, approximately more than 2,000 teachers have been attendedraining courses and 200,000 students have been introduced to the ICT and Computer Science programme, with innovative content and methods.

Students at Youthspark class

In the school year of 2018 - 2019, in order to expand the target audiences, and create favorable conditions for students from all regions to have access to training programs, all the resources about ICT and Computer Science programme had been digitized as interactive online courses on Project portal at http://youthspark.digitalskill.vn. Additionally, the online learning resource also includes courses to foster the knowledge and teaching methods for teachers, while providing teaching materials in order to continue faciliate training course for students. Training courses for teachers are also available on the Ministry of Education and Training's online learning portal at http://taphuan.moet.gov.vn.

Mr. To Hong Nam - Deputy Director of ICT-Department, Ministry o f Education and Training emphasized: “For the past few years the YDI project has been implemented in 12 disadvantaged areas with updated learning materials, creative approach to teaching, and flexible way to organize extracurricular training class that inspired students to study computer science. The results and gained experience of teaching in extra-curricular training class of the project are just not applied to 12 project implementing areas, but also to many other localities and schools. With that momentum, I believe that the interest and passion in computer science will be kept going. It will open up more opportunities for student to learn, integrate and develop themselves. Narrowing the digital gap between regions means a lot in the context of digital transformation in our country today ”

Many Departments of Education and Training have actively faciliated training courses by themselves based on the positive effects of the project and practical knowledge content that can be applied to many activities in life. Specifically, the Departments of Education and Training in 10 provinces/ cities have trained for 937 teachers on the content and teaching methods. In addition, during the 2018-2019 school year, YDI continues to implement activities to raise awareness such as Hour of Code which attracts the active participation of 722 teachers, 136,000 students from 446 schools in 26 provinces and cities across VietNam; the campaign #MakeWhatNext (Women with technology) and the “National competition on innovation for change”.

Summary Workshop of YDI Project 2019 took place in September 27th 2019 in Ha Noi with the participation of educational managers, experts, partner organizations working on digital educational area, schools, teachers and excellent students aimed of summarizing project implementation results, awarding the students of “National competition on innovation for change 2018 – 2019” and acknowledged the positive contributions of the Departments of Education and Training. Mr. Waris Candra, Microsoft Foundation Director, APAC

While observing a learning software named “Typing test”, Tran Thi Ra Vi – a Khmer student from Long Phu Secondary School - Soc Trang, had a creative idea to use the Scratch programming language to design her own learning program called "Typing fast is easy." in order to support her schoolmates to improve their ability to type fast and easily. Her initiative had stepped out of hundreds other creative products to win “The best product award” in the “National competition on for change innovation 2018-2019” under the framework of “Youth Spark Digital Inclusion” project.

Ms. Le Hong Nhi - Philanthropies & Corporate Affairs Lead, South East shared: “In 10 to 15 years, the working environment and the work itself will change drammatically due to the technology development. Creativity, problem-solving skills, logical thinking, etc. will be essential skills for future careers. Learning to code will build these skills for you. Microsoft hopes to contribute to the long-term development of IT education in Vietnam through this project, aiming to create an innovative and dynamic generation of Vietnamese young people.”