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Empowering Youths with a Passion for Technology
“Everyone deserves the chance to explore the digital world,” shared Mr. Chan Kee Siak, founder of Exabytes. This belief lay at the heart of the TechCamp—a space designed not just as a workshop but as a platform to empower individuals from diverse backgrounds with the confidence and skills to thrive in a tech-driven future. Through hands-on learning, participants are exposed to technology through Python and unlock its endless possibilities.
“The primary objective of Exabytes TechCamp was to ignite a passion for technology among youths, encouraging them to explore the digital world and prepare for their future,” said Mr. Chan. “This year, we chose Python as the focus for Exabytes TechCamp 2024 because it was one of the most popular programming languages among youth. Python served as an excellent entry point due to its simplicity, making it easier for young learners to get started with coding and technology.”
TechCamp participant Crystal beamed with joy as she fully immersed herself in the excitement of coding during the workshop.
For many participants, Exabytes TechCamp is more than just an introduction to coding – it’s a journey of self-discovery and newfound confidence. Crystal, an attendee, shared how the camp helped her overcome her fear of programming: “This course focused on the basics, allowing us to learn from scratch. Watching others present their work made it feel less intimidating, and it was reassuring to learn alongside people who were also starting from the same point.”
A Space Where All Learners Thrived
TechCamp is part of Exabytes’ broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives aimed at empowering various communities in their digital transformation journey. A key element of Exabytes TechCamp was its dedication to making coding accessible for everyone. With participants of different experience levels, the camp created a space where anyone could learn, grow, and feel empowered. Mr Chan shared, “We understood that participants come from diverse backgrounds with different levels of exposure to programming, so our approach was to be inclusive and welcoming to all.”
“We’ve partnered with Cyber Youth Singapore who connected us with SMU Women in Tech, a group with expertise in Python instructions. This collaboration ensures that participants receive guidance from experienced mentors, making the learning process engaging and supportive for everyone, regardless of their programming background.”
Jaena, an SMU volunteer and trainer, led the workshop with enthusiasm, inspiring participants as they explore the world of coding.
Beyond Coding: Building Essential Skills
The TechCamp went beyond teaching coding. It was about nurturing a versatile skill set that empowered participants for the future. Mr Chan highlighted the TechCamp’s goal of fostering digital literacy, creative problem-solving, and innovative thinking among youths. “Through coding exercises and collaborative projects, participants learn how to approach challenges creatively and logically. This skill was not only essential for coding but also for tackling real-world problems they might encounter in various aspects of their lives.”
This hands-on approach truly resonated with the participants. Crystal shared how the basics of coding sparked a new hobby for her: “Understanding how to start and grasping the fundamentals makes coding something I enjoyed doing in my free time. It was exciting because problem-solving was such a big part of it.” Nada, a fellow participant, also saw practical benefits from the TechCamp: “I was excited about applying what I learned to create something useful, like an app to organise my notes more efficiently.”
Participants got the chance to present their personal projects and share their creativity with the group.
One of the trainers, Jaena, highlighted how these broader skills were essential for anyone entering the tech field: "One critical skill they learned was how to break down big problems into smaller, manageable ones. In tech, we call it ‘divide and conquer.’ They learned how to search for solutions themselves—because in coding, no one can memorise everything, and finding answers was part of the process." Jaena also shared the rewarding experience of hearing positive feedback from students: “Some students thanked me at the end of the session, saying that the content was helpful and relevant.”
Aligning with Digital for Life
The TechCamp aligned perfectly with the Digital for Life movement, which aimed to galvanise communities in Singapore to embrace digital learning and be exposed to emerging technology that enriched daily living.
“This hands-on workshop, which includes a personal project—specifically building a text-based adventure game using Python—lets attendees apply coding concepts in a fun, interactive way,” said Mr. Chan. “Post-camp, they accessed valuable digital resources through Exabytes' Digitalise Singapore program. This included free domain, hosting, and VPS, enabling them to bring projects to life and build a portfolio while extending their learning and fostering creativity.”
"With the support of the Digital for Life Fund, we were able to extend our reach, spreading awareness about Exabytes TechCamp and engaging more youths in the community. The fund was also crucial in providing financial support, enabling us to offer high-quality workshops and resources while maintaining the accessibility of our programmes.”
Join the Digital for Life Movement and Contribute to Building a Digitally Inclusive Society
The Exabytes TechCamp focuses on empowering youths by providing them with free access to digital and coding skills. Exabytes was committed to giving back to the community in meaningful ways: such as uplifting communities by providing them with the knowledge, skills and resources they need to succeed in the digital age.
Visit Exabytes ESG to find out more about how Exabytes give back to the community.
Join the Digital for Life movement by starting a project and find out how the Digital for Life Fund can support you at Digital for Life.