More than 42,000 people are set to take part in Tech Week Ireland this week, the country’s first festival of technology that aims to woo students at all levels into a career in technology through nationwide events.
Tech Week Ireland kicks off today and runs until 3 May. The week culminates with a Grand Finale event in Dublin Castle on 2 May. The Grand Finale will encompasses other events and competitions, such as the F1 in Schools National Final, Scratch National Final, and Tech Entrepreneur Competition, to encourage ICT in the Irish education system.
Some 42,000 people are participating in the week, and 2,000 Tech Week packs have been sent out to 600 schools, libraries and more than 50 Scout troops across Ireland, according to the Irish Computer Society, which is running the week with support from ICS Skills and Science Foundation Ireland: Discover.
Jim Friars, CEO of ICS Skills, said one of his organisation’s main goals is to promote ICT at all levels of the Irish education system.
“We feel that (Tech Week Ireland) is the perfect opportunity to get students actively engaging with technology and opening their minds to the possibility of pursuing a career in ICT,” Friars said.
Prof Mark Ferguson, director-general of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and chief scientific adviser to the Government of Ireland, echoed Friars’ sentiments.
“We feel that Tech Week will help to boost the awareness of STEM subjects and the career opportunities in the sector among both students and parents,” Ferguson said.
A full list of Tech Week Ireland events happening across the country is available on the Tech Week Ireland website.
Young programmer image via Shutterstock
