ICT course aims to expand tech field for women

| 07/05/2019
CNS Local Life
Representatives of founders of Women Code Cayman (L-R) Brian Tang (Cartan), Bianca Mora(CEC), Brandon Caruana (Cartan), Melissa Lim (Walkers) and André Ebanks (Gender Affairs Unit)

(CNS Local Life): To help reduce the gender gap in the ICT/digital sector, the Gender Affairs Unit (GAU) has partnered with Cartan Group, Cayman Enterprise City (CEC), and Walkers to offer the first course under the Women Code Cayman programme. The idea behind the initiative is to offer women the opportunity to gain qualifications in the field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).

The corporate partners, along with volunteer ICT professionals, are providing the pilot course, “‘Introduction to Programming”, which offers an avenue for women and girls to learn to write computer code, stated a press release.

The course is in its eighth week, with 30 students registered. With an overwhelming response to the open invitation, the free weekly workshop quickly reached its maximum capacity, the release said.

Workshop facilitator Brandon Caruana of Cartan said of the course, “It has been amazing to see how many people in Cayman are interested in learning how to write software, build tech companies and help Cayman become an island of innovation.

“The response to our first Code Cayman programme has been overwhelming and has inspired us to roll out several more programmes including Youth Code Cayman.”

CNS Local Life
Facilitator Brandon Caruana with class participants

Walkers’ partner and Code Cayman volunteer Melissa Lim, said, “At Walkers we understand the importance of technology and are proud to be a founding sponsor of Code Cayman, which aligns well with our firm’s culture.

“The ability to code opens a world of opportunity for the Cayman community and also helps to position the jurisdiction as a hub for technological advances. We see ourselves as innovators and are pleased to work with like-minded businesses and the Cayman Islands Government to support the next generation of Cayman coders.”

Workshop creator Bianca Mora of CEC said, “We are all about shaking up the male-dominated tech world by fostering avenues for women to develop tech skills and access opportunities that are being created within CEC’s Cayman Tech City.”

Paola Juarez-Robinson, who is participating in the workshop, said of the course, “I have found this training fascinating. Coding enables people to collaborate and solve problems in an effective manner. I want to learn how to code and be able to apply it beyond my computer. As you type you create. Coding is empowering.”

André Ebanks, Deputy Chief Officer of the Ministry of Community Affairs with responsibility for the GAU, added, “This initiative is additional evidence of the power of community fellowship, whereby diverse sectors of society work creatively and collaboratively to enhance lives.” 

Workshop participants span a wide age range, a variety of occupations, and are at different stages in their career path. There are no pre-requisites to attend the course, which is held every Wednesday at 7pm, except curiosity, an interest, and access to a laptop, stated the press release. The course is being taught at The Greenhouse on North Church Street in George Town.

To register for the next series, email info@codecayman.com, or b.mora@caymanenterprisecity.com. For more information, go to the Women Code Cayman website

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Category: Education, Information Technology, Local News, Technology

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  1. Anonymous says:

    It would be good to understand what the GAU feels is the root cause of the so-called gender gap in the ICT/digital sector.