Microsoft launches a series of events “We Speak Code” in Vietnam

The event is within the framework of “Asia Pacific Week Code” week - collaborated between Microsoft and inspired by code.org - a non-profit organisation supporting education in computer science – launching across Asia Pacific during April 21-27.

In Asia Pacific, there are approximately three billion people speaking more than 2,000 different languages. Through this campaign, Microsoft expects to bring Code to become the common language across the region and to be the mean of communication for the youth to express passion and creativity towards computer science. At the same time, this is also the key to open the door of success and create more opportunities for development.

In Vietnam, the “We Speak Code” is the starting point for a series of activities to promote programming language, in which, young people are encouraged to share stories, photos and thoughts about programming on social media. Meanwhile, Microsoft will offer online courses and provide online materials so that audience would get familiar with basic programming training courses at schools and communities.

According to the latest report from International Labor Organization (ILO), in Vietnam, the youth unemployment rate (aged 25) is three times higher than the general unemployment rate in the country. There remains a big gap between skills of workers and needs of the labor market. The “We Speak Code” campaign aims to call people to equip with computer science and basic programming knowledge to have more advantages when entering the labor market, and to ease the burden of unemployment among the Vietnamese youth.

Speaking at the event, Vu Minh Tri, general director of Microsoft Vietnam said: “Microsoft is proud to be a pioneer of the campaign “We Speak Code” in Vietnam. Vietnamese young generation is growing up in the whirlwind of technology development with presence of the most advanced technology devices. Proficiency in programming knowledge and skills will help them to create software and applications which optimise the technological advantages of these devices. Microsoft is always ready to be a companion helping the youth to find their passion for computer science and to create breakthroughs for themselves and for a better future of Vietnam.”

Information technology industry in Vietnam has made great progress in closing the gap with other countries in the region and in the world. Software products are emerging in all aspects of human life, helping people to solve tasks in the most effective and efficient ways.

The Vietnamese government set an ambitious goal to become a strong IT nation by 2020.  “We Speak Code” is one of active commitments from Microsoft in the willingness to share knowledge and experiences, to cooperate with the Vietnamese government in building and developing IT human resource, and to establish policies to promote ICT and create environment to encourage and promote creativity for community.