Celebrating Innovation: A Successful Launch of EU CodeWeek in Malta

• October 16, 2024
• Andrew

Last week marked the exciting launch of EU CodeWeek in Malta, an event designed to foster coding and digital skills among students and the wider community. Organised by the eSkills Malta Foundation, the event took place at The Link Hall, Malta Business Registry, and proved to be a resounding success, featuring two engaging panel discussions and presentations from students from local schools.

 The event commenced with a warm welcome from Carm Cachia, Chief Administrator of the eSkills Malta Foundation, who highlighted the importance of digital literacy in today’s technology-driven world. Following this, Hon. Silvio Schembri, Minister for the Economy, Enterprise, and Strategic Projects, delivered a keynote address emphasising Malta’s commitment to innovation. He noted, “In recent years, our country has made significant strides forward in the field of innovation, now ranking fifth in the DESI report among EU nations. However, we aspire to be in the top three, which requires more young people engaging with technology.”

 This year’s EU CodeWeek, running from October 14 to 27, aligns with a broader initiative to promote creativity and digital skills across Europe. These two weeks will host various discussions and courses designed to equip participants with essential coding skills. As Minister Hon. Silvio Schembri, explained, the event serves as a vital platform to inspire future generations to embrace technology and innovation.

 One of the highlights of the launch was the comprehensive overview of EU CodeWeek by Diana Filip, Deputy CEO and Chief Development Officer at JA Europe, representing the Code4Europe Consortium. Following a highly competitive application process, JA Europe were awarded to run the EU CodeWeek for 2 years as from 1st July 2024. The Code4Europe Consortium is a collaboration of over 40 educational and digital industry organisations from 20 European countries, committed to empowering the next generation of digitally skilled Europeans. She emphasised that Code4Europe wants to drive real change in digital education throughout Europe and is aiming to massively scale EU Code Week to impact 25 million young people over the period of 2 years. The eSkills Malta Foundation serves as the National Hub for Malta within the Code4Europe Consortium.

 The first panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Vanessa Camilleri and focused on “The Future of Coding” and its impact on students. Panelists shared insights on how coding skills are becoming indispensable across numerous fields, encouraging students to think critically and creatively. The second panel, led by Ediana Guillaumier, addressed the pressing need for increased diversity in the tech industry, particularly the importance of attracting more women into ICT roles.

 In addition to the panel discussions, the event featured student presentations from three schools, showcasing their coding projects. The participating schools were St Thomas More College Santa Lucija Secondary School, St. Paul’s Missionary College Senior School, and St. Michael Foundation. Their enthusiasm and creativity further reinforce the importance of initiatives like EU CodeWeek in nurturing future talent. The event concluded with a networking lunch, allowing attendees to connect and discuss collaboration opportunities. As highlighted by Carm Cachia, “EU CodeWeek is not just a celebration of coding; it’s about fostering a community that understands and appreciates the significance of digital skills in everyday life.”

 EU Code Week, launched by the European Commission in 2013, aims to demystify coding and provide millions of individuals with the chance to explore coding, robotics, and other digital skills. This grassroots initiative seeks to bridge the digital skills gap, preparing future generations for a technology-driven world. As coding becomes as fundamental as reading and writing, the need for educational initiatives that promote these skills is more critical than ever.

 The successful launch of EU Code Week in Malta is just the beginning. With more events planned, the Ministry for the Economy, Enterprise, and Strategic Projects is committed to ensuring that Malta remains at the forefront of digital innovation in Europe. In conclusion, the launch of EU Code Week was a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and the endless possibilities that coding brings. As we move forward, it is essential to continue fostering interest in technology among young people, equipping them with the skills they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world.