العربيةThe IT Service Centre (ITSC) recently hosted more than 100 students over two days as part of the UNRWA Summer Fun Weeks project. With a focus on students in grades 7th to 9th, ITSC aimed to ignite curiosity and knowledge among these young minds. This enriching experience aimed to bolster their educational journey, providing them with the tools and resources needed to thrive in the world of technology.
The day’s agenda was packed with informative and engaging sessions led by passionate trainers. Reem Akkila, Partnerships Coordinator at ITSC, welcomed the students and introduced them to the world of IT. They were then exposed to various IT fields and the exciting cycle of Mobile App Development. “Our goal is to unlock endless possibilities and inspire a passion for learning in these young minds. The excitement they showed today tells us that we are on the right track. By empowering them to explore the captivating world of STEM from an early age, we’re shaping a brighter, tech-driven future,” said Ms. Akkila.
Etaf Abu Hadda, DevSecOps Engineer at ITSC, went next, educating the students about internet safety and how to protect themselves from cyber-attacks, a crucial aspect of digital literacy in today’s world. “I feel hopeful for a safer digital environment when I see young students eager to study and comprehend the necessity of online safety. I am pleased to be a part of the journey of today’s kids because they will be the ones to create positive change in the digital landscape,” Ms. Abu Hadda added.
After an inspiring day of tech exploration at the IT Service Centre, the students then moved to the Gaza Training College (GTC’s) labs to begin with practical application. The students were introduced to the plethora of perks that come with their Microsoft accounts, such as OneDrive, Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Teams, Sway, Microsoft Learn, Immersive Reader, Reading Coach, and Math Assistant.
It is worth mentioning that UNRWA’s partnership with Microsoft provided over 500,000 UNRWA students access to valuable resources and learning opportunities. Islam Abu Salem, Quality Assurance Expert at ITSC, emphasized the importance of exposing students to these digital tools, enabling self-guided exploration and learning.
Throughout the day, the students had hands-on experiences with various digital tools, including interactive online platforms that are carefully designed to facilitate learning and enhance interaction with technical concepts. Moreover, they were introduced to AI tools like Tome, ChatGPT, and Bard, enabling them to explore the cutting-edge world of artificial intelligence.
"The coding session introduced students to interactive online platforms that offer a wide array of coding courses in various programming languages. Through hands-on engagement with interactive exercises and real-world projects, coding is made accessible and enjoyable for both beginners and intermediate learners."
“I want to pursue a career in IT and be a part of creating the future! The coding session inspired me to start learning to code right away,” said a student, brimming with determination.
“I used to think IT was just about fixing computers, but now I see it’s much more than that,” said another student with enthusiasm.
“After learning about online safety, I now understand how crucial it is to look out for myself. I will be more cautious going forward, and perhaps one day I can help others stay secure too,” one student expressed.
“Learning about the different digital tools and resources available to us has shown me that I can learn anything I want whenever I want,” said another student, excited about the endless possibilities ahead.
As the Day at the IT Service Centre concluded, it left behind a trail of inspiration and excitement among the students. Their digital literacy enhanced, problem-solving skills honed, and interest in STEM ignited, these young minds are now better equipped to shape their educational journey and embrace a future of endless possibilities in the world of IT.
ITSC’s involvement in the Summer Fun Weeks project aligns with their broader objective empowering the digital generation of Palestine refugees. By investing in the potential of these young minds, the IT Service Centre is paving the way for a brighter, tech-driven future for all.
