You're reading: BrainBasket launches free 150-hour course to teach programming languages

Can't tell the difference from constants to variables? Couldn't tell a stack from a pointer? Think a declaration is just something that is filed at the tax office?

Then programming knowledge, the so-called new language of
the 21st century, is what is needed. Kyiv-based BrainBasket Foundation offers a
three-month course to teach all comers the basics of programming to do just
that.

The course is based on study programs designed for novices
by Harvard University, Stanford University and Massachusetts Institute of
Technology.

Called Technology Nation, the course consists of two-hour lessons
starting on March 1, 2016, which are to be held in the town libraries in 22
oblasts across Ukraine. Groups of 12-15 students will be formed in each oblast
center.

Deputy chief presidential office head Dmytro Shymkiv
described the initiative at a briefing in Kyiv on Dec. 3.

“In the future people will have to be able to read, write,
speak and – now we can see it among our children – program,” Shimkiv said.
“That’s the future for many people – to acquire a completely new skill, find a
new well-paid job with better labor conditions and become a part of global
society.”

The curriculum is
focused on the most common programming languages like Java, C++, Ruby and
others. Students will study basic lecturing material online, watch webinars and
then undergo 150 hours of practical classes and nine lab tasks under the
direction of experienced mentors. The most important knowledge will be taught
during the evening classes.

Moreover, the foundation will provide a blended learning
process in both English and Ukrainian.

According to BrainBasket CEO Vladimir Liulka, the project is
mostly aimed at those who want to alter careers and plunge deeper into the
information technology sphere.

However, the selection panel will prioritize people from 22
to 40 years old with families.

“Priority is given firstly to those who have higher,
secondary and special educations – but not a technical one – and to those who
have little children,” Liulka said. “If we help parents, we’ll help children as
well.”

Registration started on Dec. 3 and will last until all
students are selected for the program. Due to the simplicity of the application
form, the organizers are anticipating up to 5,000 applications by the end of
the first registration day. Since a maximum of 330 students can be chosen for
the first course, Liulka says some of those not selected will be considered for
the next round of the course in May 2016, while others will be excluded from
selection.

To apply for the course, you have to fill in an online form
on brainbasket.org/technology-nation. It consists of only ten simple questions.
If the first course is successful, the foundation says it will continue rolling
out the program. Liulka promises to have 40,000 students and about 100 teaching
hubs around the country by the end of 2016.

Microsoft Ukraine, the Presidential Administration of
Ukraine and Ukrainian hardware producer Navigator support the initiative and are
to provide all of the required equipment and software.

The BrainBasket Foundation is a non-profit organization aimed
at developing information technology education in Ukraine. It was established
in April 2014 by volunteers from successful IT companies and supported by
Ukrainian Economy Ministry and Kyiv City Council. The foundation’s aim is to
train 100,000 IT specialists by 2020.

Kyiv Post staff writer Denys Krasnikov can be reached at [email protected]. The
Kyiv Post’s IT coverage is sponsored by
Looksery,
Ciklum, Steltec
Capital
and SoftServe.
The content is independent of the donors.