Google, in collaboration with government and private technology companies, has launched an online computer science (CS) program for underage students in Pakistan.
The inaugural ceremony of the launch of Google’s CS program in the country was held at the Ministry of Information Technology (IT) and Telecommunication, which was attended by senior government officials, including the Minister of Technology.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Farhan S. Qureshi, Head, Google South Asia, Syed Aminul Haq, Minister for Technology, Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui, Secretary, Information Technology and other senior officials.
The inaugural event was also attended by officials from TechVale Pakistan, the Telecom Foundation and the Virtual University, which provided support for the introduction of the Google CS First program in Pakistan.
While the Ministry of Information Technology will support Google to run the Google CS First program in Pakistan, TechVale Pakistan, the Telecom Foundation and the Virtual University will also support the program.
What is CS First Program?
The program is already running in several countries; Photo: Google CS First
CS First program is a global program introduced by Google, through which digital training of children was being imparted in many countries before Pakistan.
Under this program, children receive basic training and education in areas such as art, sports and game design.
The program is run by Google with the support of various organizations around the world and there is no fee.
Ordinary students can also participate in the program by watching it online, however, the CS program gives good results in organizations run by Google in collaboration with government and various agencies.
How will the CS First program run in Pakistan?
The program will be run in Pakistan with the support of various organizations. Photo: Ministry of IT
In Pakistan, as in other countries, Google’s program will be run with the support of various organizations.
In this regard, children of 9 to 14 years of age will be trained in CS First program in the schools of Telecom Foundation.
Initially, the program will be run on a limited scale in Telecom Foundation schools in Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore, and will only include children from middle- or low-income families.
TechVale Pakistan will provide technical support to Google to run the program.
The CS First program will have two phases, the first phase will be teacher training and the virtual university will support teacher training.
In the second phase, the trainee teachers will teach CS to the children and this process will take place in the schools of Telecom Foundation