• The UAE has unveiled a national programme to train 100,000 coders and set up 1,000 digital companies over the next five years. It also aims to increase investment directed at startups from Dh1.5 billion to Dh4 billion.
• The programme was launched in collaboration with Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Cisco, IBM, HPE, LinkedIn, Nvidia and Facebook.

Source: Gulf News

The UAE has launched a major new programme to develop talent, expertise and innovation in the field of coding in collaboration with top tech firms including Google, Microsoft and Facebook, among others.

The National Program for Coders will seek to foster the growth of the digital economy in the country, said Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai.

It will seek to accelerate the adoption of digital applications and tools in various economic sectors by promoting close links and interaction between coders, public and private organisations, as well as academic entities.

“Today we launched the National Program for Coders in collaboration with Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Cisco, IBM, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), LinkedIn, Nvidia and Facebook, with the aim of training and attracting 100,000 coders, establishing 1,000 digital companies within five years and increasing investment in startups from Dhs1.5bn to Dhs4bn,” Sheikh Mohammed said on Twitter.

The programme will operate under the supervision of the UAE Artificial Intelligence Office.

It will focus on five key pillars, including:

* Supporting coders, entrepreneurs, startups, large companies and the academic sector* Developing a comprehensive platform for promoting engagement and linkages between coders and local companies and universities* Launching global skill development initiatives featuring international trainers aimed at enhancing the efficiency of local talent* Attracting the best international coding professionals to the UAE* Recommending policies to foster the development of the coding sector in cooperation with various government entities

The National Program for Coding will also grant golden visas to 100,000 of the world’s best coders. It will also provide a range of financing options to entrepreneurs and coders, support the implementation of their projects and ideas, and establish digital companies to promote the competitiveness of the national economy, a statement said.

In its next phase, the programme will invite coders from around the world to find innovative solutions to 100 government, economic, technological, health and services challenges and help accelerate the adoption of modern technologies. It will also organise 10 hackathons.

A global campaign called #UAE_Codes will be launched to highlight the UAE’s efforts in attracting the world’s best coding professionals. It will also provide services and encourage coders to find jobs and establish startups in the UAE.

“Our youth need to know that the future has new tools, speaks a different language and adopts online work methodologies. We want them to be at the heart of this future. The National Program for Coders aims to engage local digital communities in the digital transformation of the UAE. It further highlights the UAE’s leading role in designing the future, embracing talent, entrepreneurs, academics, startups, global companies, and future investments globally,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

“We seek to attract the best international coders and provide them with the infrastructure needed to develop innovative ideas that serve the world. We aim to establish 1,000 startups in the field of digital economy in the UAE within five years. We will support national coders in developing themselves into the best in the world. We will employ promising talent in the development of 10 platforms for supporting social and humanitarian projects in the UAE.”

Sheikh Mohammed issued directives to all government entities in the UAE to support the development of national and international coding talent; work with legislative bodies, business incubators, investment companies, universities and research centres to support coding-based initiatives and projects that foster national talent in the field; and further develop the legislative framework.

The programme’s partners include: Google, Microsoft, IBM, LinkedIn, Facebook, Huawei, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Nvidia, Cisco, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), Majid Al Futtaim, Dubai World Trade Centre, Emirates NBD, Group 42 (G42), Khalifa University, Higher Colleges of Technology, University of Sharjah, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), American University in Dubai (AUD), Le Wagon and Yalla.