Kainos CodeCamp underway! 
28 July 2015
Queen's is helping to inspire the next generation of computer coders through its support for the 3rd summer Kainos CodeCamp, which started on 27 July.
The free two-week course, organised by the digital solutions company with additional backing from Queen’s, Belfast City Council and South Belfast Partnership, is being attended by 80 young people from across Belfast and beyond. Aimed at year 11-14 students studying STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths), CodeCamp culminates with a prize giving ceremony on 7 August.
Dr Phil Hanna, Director of Education at the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Queen’s, said: “The camp is a brilliant way to inspire the next generation of technical professionals. The students can gain a better understanding of app development and different types of coding, along with working in a professional environment.”
Kainos CodeCamp is designed to introduce young people to the world of computer programming and improve their technical skills. Over the two weeks, software developers and mentors from Kainos, Queen’s and Liberty IT will provide training and deliver workshops in a number of technologies including Android, iOS and Raspberry Pi. Participants not only learn basic coding techniques, but also get a chance to develop their own apps. This will allow them to experience what working in an IT/technical environment would be like, and to understand the different roles available within the industry.
For the first time this year, the CodeCamp attendees will be given group training sessions in using Raspberry Pi, the small computer system designed to encourage children to learn programming. These will also be offered up as prizes, alongside Nexus tablets and an Apple Watch.
Discussing the unique opportunity offered by CodeCamp, Gemma Crothers, Technology Outreach Manager at Kainos, said: “CodeCamp’s main goal is to inspire young people to become creators of technology, rather than just consumers of it. Our main aim is to give participants a passion for building applications, and enable them to use the latest technical tools available to them.”
Demand for places was exceptionally high this year, with all 80 tickets being snapped up in just two hours. In total, there were 300 applications, highlighting the obvious demand and appetite for initiatives of this nature, and the thirst for technical knowledge that today’s teenagers have.
Briege Arthurs, CEO of South Belfast Partnership Board, said: “It’s encouraging to see so many children give up two weeks of their summer to develop their technical knowledge and understanding. These young people are the future of the workforce in Northern Ireland, and it’s our responsibility to ensure they are trained in best practice and kept up-to-date with the latest technological advancements”.
Cllr Deirdre Hargey, Chair of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee at Belfast City Council, said, “The Council is committed to supporting the development of the creative industries in Belfast, and a key focus has been on growing the digital media and technology sectors. With companies like Kainos involving the next generation in programmes like CodeCamp, we are ensuring the continuing development of our city, our people and our knowledge economy.”
Find out more about Kainos, and Queen’s role in its success, by visiting the QUBIS webpage and keep up with CodeCamp 2015 via Twitter @KainosCodeCamp.
Media inquiries to Andrew Kennedy, Queen’s Communications Office, telephone +44 (0)28 9097 5384.
Top picture (L-R): Kevin Yeoh, participant in CodeCamp, Laura McKeague, Trainee Software Engineer at Kainos and Aoife O’Toole, participant in CodeCamp
Main group (L-R): Gemma Crothers, Kainos, Cllr Deirdre Hargey, Dr Phil Hanna, Queen’s University and Clare Dumigan, Digital Officer at South Belfast Partnership Board
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