SINGAPORE, 5 September 2024 – Up to 1,000 children from lower-income families in Central Singapore District will gain access to digital-making skills and the arts through the fourth run of "My Digital Bootcamp". The programme is a collaboration between Central Singapore Community Development Council (CDC) and UOB. It is part of Central Singapore CDC's SkillsFuture Junior movement. The movement aims to equip young residents with digital and soft skills to be future-ready in an increasingly technologically-advanced society.

Immersive Learning Experiences

Through thematic bootcamps held from now to March 2025, the children will be equipped with digital-making skills and given an understanding of the current digital landscape in a fun and engaging manner. These bootcamps complement school- and community-based coding programmes. This marks the first time that 'My Digital Bootcamp' is offered to lower primary students. In addition, digital art will be woven into the latest curriculum to provide the children with additional exposure to ignite their creativity.

Participants can choose from either of two immersive narratives: To save the world from a malevolent force known as "The Glitch" in Digital Defenders: Rise of The Super Squad or join the Amazing Tech Titans to solve global challenges (more information in Annex C).

Modular Workshops

Participants partake in skills-based modular workshops to learn digital-making skills, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, web development, game design and coding. Through the bootcamp, they will also be exposed to soft skills such as creativity, logical reasoning, pattern recognition, relationship management and communication skills, among others.

At each two-day bootcamp, participants will attend four workshops comprising:

• Two Core modules (with a Digital Art component)
• Two Elective modules (chosen from six different workshops)
  (more information in Annex C)

Learning Beyond the Bootcamps

To encourage learning beyond the Bootcamp, each child will bring home a Home-based Learning (HBL) digital-making kit so they may continue practising what they have learnt. These kits are configured according to the two narratives, with different contents for the two storylines (more information in Annex C).

Strong Partnership between Central Singapore CDC and UOB

"My Digital Bootcamp" was made possible through Central Singapore CDC's longstanding partnership with UOB. A steadfast supporter since the programme's inception in 2019, UOB has donated $2 million across four seasons of "My Digital Bootcamp", with $500,000 attributed to Season 4. Close to 5,000 children across 50 schools and organisations will benefit over the 4 seasons.

Earlier today, the second day of "My Digital Bootcamp" Season 4 kicked off at Townsville Primary School with a cheque presentation ceremony. It was attended by Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information & Second Minister for Home Affairs, Grassroots Advisor to Jalan Besar GRC GROs, Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng, Mayor of Central Singapore District, and Ms Rosalind Lee, Head of Enterprise Banking, UOB.

Close to 60 students from Townsville Primary school and Pathlight School attended four workshops held concurrently. The students brought their imagination to life with digital skills taught.

Mrs Josephine Teo said: "Technology is a big part of our daily lives. Digital inclusion plays a pivotal role in ensuring that its benefits are gained by all segments of society. That's why programmes like "My Digital Bootcamp" are so important in ensuring that our children can have access to digital skills regardless of their background. We want them to be future-ready. That is one step closer to realising a Singapore where everyone can live meaningful and fulfilled lives, enabled seamlessly by technology, offering exciting opportunities for all.

Ms Denise Phua, Mayor of Central Singapore CDC, said: " "My Digital Bootcamp" equips children from underserved backgrounds with crucial digital skills, ensuring they are not left behind in our tech-focused world. By merging art with technology, our expanded curriculum sparks creativity and inspires innovative uses of digital tools. We deeply appreciate UOB's ongoing support in empowering these young learners and warmly welcome invite more businesses to join us and contribute to our community's growth."

Mr Leonard Tan, Head of Group Corporate Social Responsibility, UOB said: "UOB is proud to be a longstanding supporter of "My Digital Bootcamp". This is a programme that develops young minds and equips our children with digital and soft skills so they can thrive in an increasingly digital world. It is a testament to UOB's promise to do right by the communities around us and commitment to invest in the future of our youth."

"My Digital Bootcamp" is one of 52 programme offerings under Central Singapore CDC that aims to better support its residents in their journey of lifelong learning. Interested primary schools with and community organisations serving children from lower-income families in Central Singapore District can write to PA_CentralSingapore@pa.gov.sg. More details can be found in Annexes below.