Radically different approach to education
Revolutionize education – No classes, no teachers and no tuition. You don’t even need matric to apply. You work in groups with your fellow students to solve problems and have full access to campus 7 days a week. There is open access to information from various sources, and you learn how to filter, compare and use relevant data in order to solve problems. Just like the learning process is peer-oriented, students also evaluate each other’s work and help set the problems.
WeThinkCode_’s entrance into the education space aims to address pressing issues, gaps, and challenges – though being cognisant of the landscape of inequality that persists. The technology incubator aims to create an education solution tailored to address some of the sources of inequality that exclude people from access to education.
In partnership with Ecole 42 in France, WeThinkCode_ equips South African students with the skills to become world-class digital problem solvers by training them to be uniquely positioned to meet this age’s software programmer demands.
In a joint venture between founders Arlene Mulder, Camille Agon, Justinus Adriaanse and Yossi Hasson, WeThinkCode_ was created to provide an innovative solution to free education through rethinking the education model, and considering the need for digital skills. Co-founder Camille Agon notes that ‘There is a shortage of coders and other skilled people in the tech value chain’, while recognising that demographic challenges still persist. ‘Computer programmers are going to be designing the future Africa. We need women and men from all backgrounds to ensure we create a future world that works for all of us.’
The tuition-free, two-year long programme, will provide selected young people between the ages of 17 and 35 the chance to become software engineers. No specific grades or matric certificate are required. After passing two initial online aptitude tests, prospective students will undergo an intense four-week long bootcamp to test their ability, and from there 120 students will be selected to become part of a ground-breaking digital training programme: the first of its kind on the continent.
The incubation programme also provides a stipend of R2000 to all students for food and transport, until their first paid internship. This is critical as these costs are often not considered when thinking about the barriers to students receiving education.
The campus, based in the Johannesburg CBD, will provide each student with access to the internet and a desktop computer during their full-time study, while taking a unique approach to learning. There are no lecturers. Rather students study through peer-to-peer learning, jointly solving complex and relevant challenges.
The course is sponsored by companies on the lookout for strong programing skills. These corporates will also provide internships for students, who will complete two paid internships in the duration of their training. Once they graduate, they will be placed in programming jobs with sponsors, solving one of the most fundamental challenges that graduates face: unemployment. Founding sponsors are FNB, BBD and Derivco. Other corporate sponsors include Dimension Data, Platform45, IQ Business, Allan Gray, Workonline and OnPointPR among many others.
Explaining the importance and relevance of WeThinkCode_’s approach, OnPoint PR’s CEO, Paul Leisegang comments:
“To make real impact on the education crises, we need a complete rethink of our entire education system: WeThinkCode_ represents a radical, innovative and determined approach to education.”
The course is open to anyone between the ages of 17 to 35 with the relevant visa and permissions to live, work and study in South Africa for the duration of the course and subsequent work obligations. Arlene Mulder notes that the aim is ‘To source and develop 100 000 coders throughout the continent. We need to make South Africa and the continent the go-to place for software engineering skills.’
Interested young people are required to take the online test before the 20th of March, and successful candidates will start the course in May 2016. Activations in various neighbourhoods are taking place for those without access to a desktop computer. Those without internet access can text ‘CODE’ to 43366, and access will be arranged. No matric nor any other diploma is required. For more information and to register to take the test, visit www.wethinkcode.co.za or email info@borntocode.co.za.
PR Lab
Other News
