DBS Foundation and MakerBay Foundation Join Forces to Launch DBS InnoFuture Youth Programme

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 17 January 2023 – Over 90% of educators acknowledged that digital literacy, especially in artificial intelligence (AI), is essential for students in preparing for their future careers, an online survey conducted by MakerBay Foundation reveals. Additionally, more than 80% agreed that family income affects students’ opportunity to take part in technology education. The same research also indicates institutions face challenges when launching AI training due to limited subject matter expertise.

< >To empower underserved youth and equip them with essential skills required for today’s and future job market, DBS Foundation and MakerBay Foundation have joined forces to launch DBS InnoFuture Youth Programme which provides comprehensive upskilling training on AI and No-code for 15-24 years old underserved youth. Participants will also take part in a Capstone Project that allows them to ideate and design digital solutions for NGOs/ social enterprises while gaining valuable hands-on working experience. This helps pave their way towards more successful career prospects as well as drive digital transformation in the social sector.

The survey (Click here for detailed results) has pinpointed the challenges in introducing AI training into school curriculums, mainly due to a lack of subject matter expertise (30.6%) and that AI training is not a focus in a regular syllabus (27.8%), reflecting a need to support underserved youth with additional digital skills training. The survey also looked into the difficulties of digital transformation in the social sector as there are insufficient resources to install suitable equipment (29.4%) and lack-thereof subject matter expertise in the organisation (25.0%).

“The younger generation now have a much broader range of career options than merely working 9-to-5 in traditional industries.” Said Mr. Cyron Chan, Executive Director of MakerBay Foundation. “We would like to empower youth without prior technology experience to explore careers in tech while fostering the digital transformation of the social sector with their creativity.” After completing AI and No-code training on different themes, participants can leverage what they have learnt to build a tailor-made digital solution for partnering organisations under their mentors’ guidance.

Ms. Amy Wu, Executive Director and Head, Group Strategic Marketing and Communications of DBS Bank (HK), stated that “DBS Bank has always been committed to championing social enterprises through DBS Foundation to create business for impact, and to address critical social issues. In 2022, DBS Foundation introduced the new “Community Impact” chapter which one of the focuses is to support communities by equipping them with essential skills for a better future. In recent years, tech skills, especially the application of artificial intelligence and No-code, are in high demand for different jobs. However, technology education is not affordable to every family, which directly affects employment opportunities for underserved youth. Therefore, we hope that through the collaboration with MakerBay Foundation, the youth in need could have a chance to receive artificial intelligence training for free to enhance their competitiveness in the job market.”

Today marked the successful launch of DBS InnoFuture Youth Programme, kicking off an exciting 1.5 years of collaboration. Attendees understood more about the programme structure and participation methods, as well as gained insights from panel discussions delving into topics of “Importance of Digital Literacy on Youth Development” and “Benefits and Difficulties of Digital Transformation in NGOs”.

Ms. Polly Lui, Assistant Career Development Manager of Student Affairs Office at The Education University of Hong Kong and Mr. Oscar Venhuis, Interim CEO of Happyer Skills showcased the disparity in digital literacy between underserved youth compared to those from more affluent backgrounds, as well as the benefits of digital literacy for their career development during a panel discussion. The second session focused on how NGOs are adapting to digital transformation with special guests Mr. Jonathan Wong, Project Director of Center for Entrepreneurship at CUHK Business School and Mr. Stanley Ho Co-founder & Managing Partner of Society for Innovation & Technology in Social Work who gave their insights based on engaging case studies.

Over 10 NGOs including Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service, 1-art Charity Foundation, Po Leung Kuk and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals have embraced the opportunity to join DBS InnoFuture Youth Programme. Participants will create digital solutions such as membership systems, case management platforms and campaign websites for partnering organisations. Through bridging the needs of youth employment and digital transformation for NGOs, the programme will serve 1,840 underserved youth and 50 NGOs or social enterprises with the provision of 100 digital solutions in a one-and-half-year period.

For the latest updates about DBS InnoFuture Youth Programme, please refer to https://makerbay.net/dbs-innofuture-youth-programme/

Hashtag: #DBSFoundation #DBSInnoFutureYouthProgramme

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