108.000 disadvantaged students improve their studying by accessing to ICT and Computer Science program

The mountainous and rural areas face many challenges in terms of development and integration. In that context, ICT education is considered as the key to help people change lives in order not to be left behind in the 4.0^th industrial revolution. Meanwhile, due to the economic and social difficulties, students, the future labor generation, do not have many opportunities to access to advanced education programs. Targeted to provide knowledge and skills to help students not only use technology proficiently but can also create technology, the project has developed the ICT and Computer Science program to pilot in extra-curricular classes, including topics on Basic IT Application, Movie Making, 2D-3D Graphics, 2D-3D Programming and Internet Safety. The results have marked the success of the project in narrowing the digital gap, stimulating passions, developing the knowledge and skills in computer science, applying information technology for young people in difficult areas.

Bui Thanh Tam, the author of the product “Keyboard typing” shared: “This product helps me to enhance my typing skills and also my agility, which helps to improve the learning results. What makes me happy is that it can help other people with the same passion on computers. I hope this product can be introduced to all classes in the school and spread to other schools, giving other students the opportunity to cultivate skills, get access to technology products to integrate and develop more."

“After nearly two years of implementation, the project has created widespread and remarkable changes. In 12 provinces / cities where the project was implemented: Hoa Binh, Quang Ninh, Thai Nguyen, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong, Kien Giang, Soc Trang, An Giang, Ho Chi Minh City, approximately 1,500 teachers and 108,000 students are introduced to the ICT and Computer Science program with innovative content and methods. Thanks to the positive impact and practical knowledge that the project offers, many provinces have actively organized trainings for officers and teachers to replicate the project in the local”- said Ms Ngo Minh Trang, Deputy Director of Vietnet-ICT.

Mr. Pham The Truong - General Director of Microsoft Vietnam shared: "Microsoft is proud to sponsor this project during the last 2 years. We look forward to continuing to support disadvantaged youth, providing greater access to ICT and computer science, and replicating IT education initiatives of the YouthSpark program in Vietnam."

Mr To Hong Nam, Deputy Director General of ICT Department said: “The results of the project effectively support the teaching of ICT in schools, bring the opportunity to access to ICT skills, arouse the interest and passion for students in difficult areas. This is also an opportunity to experiment innovate teaching methods in schools. The products and experiences of this project can support the renovation of ICT program in the near future.”.