Central Singapore CDC and UOB Present Inaugural Hackathon for ‘My Digital Bootcamp’, Empowering Students to Tackle Climate Change
More than 1,000 primary school students from lower-income backgrounds participated in transformative two-day camps aimed at nurturing digital-making skills for Season 3 of ‘My Digital Bootcamp’
Singapore, 11 March 2024 – About 200 primary school students from lower-income families in Singapore’s Central District gathered at the Hackathon for ‘My Digital Bootcamp’ to identify relevant climate-related issues and design solutions that address them. Under the guidance of sustainability experts, the students created prototypes using IT skills and upcycled materials.
The Hackathon falls under the auspices of ‘My Digital Bootcamp’, a collaboration between Central Singapore CDC and UOB. Now in its third season, this is the first time ‘My Digital Bootcamp’ has embedded a Hackathon component that serves as the finale to the season. More than 1,000 children have attended Season 3 of ‘My Digital Bootcamp’.
Training for the Hackathon started in March 2023. Students were identified to attend short workshops to equip them with digital and soft skills to be future-ready.
The coaching included exposure to complementary soft skills such as logical reasoning, pattern recognition, algorithm design, relationship management and communication skills, among others.
This 2024 Hackathon event is a culmination of a year-long effort, where groups of students compete to develop solutions in four categories:
- Create a linguistic device
- Design smart homes for people with disabilities
- Create an AI device that helps in garbage disposal
- Design fun games to help those like refugees cope with difficult times
(See Appendix C for project descriptions).
The Hackathon primer started on 9 March 2024 (Saturday). The students gathered at Pathlight School for workshops for refresher sessions, covering team building, digital lessons and brainstorming sessions. This dovetails into the latest session comprising building prototypes.
Participants put their heads together to come up with exciting prototypes.
Ms Denise Phua, Mayor of Central Singapore District, said: “Central CDC’s ‘My Digital Bootcamp’ is a signature offering to provide enrichment opportunities for children who otherwise would not have access to such digital skills learning treats. Its new Hackathon component brings the Bootcamp to a new level and lets our children have a go at innovative problem-solving in new domains like sustainability and climate action.
We are so grateful for the strong steadfast support from UOB who has been generously supporting our disadvantaged young for many years.
We welcome other businesses to join UOB and Central CDC to ensure that as many children as possible are not left behind in our fast-moving tech-enabled society.”
UOB has donated $1.5 million across three seasons of ‘My Digital Bootcamp’, with $500,000 attributed to Season 3. In Season 3, over 30 employee volunteers from UOB also befriended the students, distributed participation kits and meals, and helped to guide the students through their learning.
Mr Leonard Tan, Head of Group CSR, Group Strategic Communications and Brand, UOB said: “UOB is committed to supporting the social development of the communities that we operate in. We are proud to be a longstanding supporter of ‘My Digital Bootcamp’, a programme that helps to develop young minds and build their confidence to thrive in an increasingly digital world. It is a testament to UOB’s promise to do right by our community by equipping children with digital tools and skills and developing them to their full potential.”
Mayor Denise Phua and Mr Leonard Tan (Centre), Head of Group CSR, Group Strategic Communications and Brand, UOB, posing for a photo with students and trainers.
About UOB
UOB is a leading bank in Asia. Operating through its head office in Singapore and banking subsidiaries in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, UOB has a global network of around 500 offices in 19 countries and territories in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. Since its incorporation in 1935, UOB has grown organically and through a series of strategic acquisitions. UOB is rated among the world’s top banks: Aa1 by Moody’s Investors Service and AA- by both S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings.
For nearly nine decades, UOB has adopted a customer-centric approach to create long-term value by staying relevant through its enterprising spirit and doing right by its customers. UOB is focused on building the future of ASEAN – for the people and businesses within, and connecting with, ASEAN.
The Bank connects businesses to opportunities in the region with its unparalleled regional footprint and leverages data and insights to innovate and create personalised banking experiences and solutions catering to each customer’s unique needs and evolving preferences. UOB is also committed to help businesses forge a sustainable future, by fostering social inclusiveness, creating positive environmental impact and pursuing economic progress. UOB believes in being a responsible financial services provider and is steadfast in its support of art, social development of children and education, doing right by its communities and stakeholders.
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