CodersTrust, a purpose-driven, global skill development organization that aims to make a tangible difference in the lives of the underprivileged, disadvantaged and underserved population, has recently partnered with the University for Peace, a university and treaty organization mandated by UN General Assembly, at a signing ceremony held at UPEACE campus in San Jose, Costa Rica, to offer Next- Generation Skills training for the Digital Era through academic collaboration and student exchanges.
According to the press statement, the Minister of Education of Bangladesh, Dr Dipu Moni, graced the event as the Chief Guest. The agreement was signed by Aziz Ahmad, Chairman of CodersTrust and Professor Fransisco Rojas Aravena, Rector of the University for Peace. Dr. Juan Carlos Sainz Borgo, Vice Rector of University for Peace and Md. Shamsul Haque, CEO of CodersTrust, was present, among others.
Congratulating both UPEACE and CodersTrust, Dr Dipu Moni said that this partnership will accelerate the mission of both organizations. She lauded CodersTrust for its continued role in transforming unemployed and under-employed youth into the skilled workforce in Bangladesh and worldwide, especially the youths and women. She added that the International Agreement for establishing the University for Peace, in which the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations was a signatory four decades back.
UPEACE Rector ProfFransisco Rojas Aravena praised CodersTrust for its focus on youths and women from underprivileged, underserved and underemployed backgrounds. Emphasizing innovation for Peace, Professor Aravena said, “Next-generation skills and technologies like Artificial Intelligence should be leveraged for the peace and prosperity of humanity, addressing any concerns”. He recalled his visit to Bangladesh and considered its relationship with Bangladesh permanent.
CodersTrust’s vision is to foster opportunities to leverage relevant skills for making a living in the digital workspace and provide a marketplace for clients looking to hire an ICT workforce. Its IT graduates include tens of thousands of underprivileged, underemployed or unemployed people who are now employed across the planet with the skills they require to grow their value in the Global IT market, all while earning far more money than they could previously.
Headquartered in New York City, the company has partnered with DANIDA, UNDP, World Bank, WFP, Dutch Foundation, Swanirvar Bangladesh, BRAC, CARE Bangladesh, Ministry of ICT Bangladesh, Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Palli Karma Sahayok Foundation-PKSF and more to facilitate their ICT endeavours.
Speaking on the collaboration, Chairman of CodersTrust, Aziz Ahmad, said:
This affiliation is significant in world peace, education, job opportunities, and women empowerment. In today’s world, where technology is rapidly advancing, digital skills have become essential for socio-economic progress.
Ahmad added:
$17 trillion will be lost due to setbacks of educational attainment during the pandemic, 1 billion youth are entering the labour market this decade with risk of un/under-employment, and 45% of the workforce will need to reskill every 3-4 years.
He underscored the need to train the youth on advanced IT skills that can contribute to world peace by helping address some global challenges that threaten human security and well-being, such as poverty, inequality, climate change, health, and education.
The signing ceremony was followed by a roundtable discussion on Human Rights and Peacebuilding in the Digital Age, where Aziz Ahmad spoke as a panellist. Other panellists included Juan Carlos Sainz-Borgo, Vice Rector, UPEACE; Melissa Mannis, Special Advisor, UPEACE; Dr Mariateresa Garrido, Doctoral Coordinator, UPEACE; Giannina Segnini, Director, Master of Data Journalism; Columbia University, Branka Panic, Founding Director, AI for Peace, Fabin Solis of Abogado Aguilar Castillo Love, Marina Meira, Head of Projects, Data Privacy Brazil Research Association, Marcela Chacon, VP and Global Director for United Nations Relations, Dan O’Bryan, CEO of Roco Plants and Natalia Porras, Director of Foreign Trade of Ministry of Foreign Trade, Costa Rica Government.
University for Peace is a unique global academic institution with over 2,000 Alumni from more than 120 nations. Through its Master’s and Doctoral degree programmes, the University trains future leaders to explore and formulate strategies and practices in various contexts to address the causes of multiple problems affecting human and global well-being, thus contributing to the peacekeeping and peacebuilding processes.
