On Wednesday, October 12, at H20 Esports in Purmerend, the starting signal was given for the Samsung Innovation Campus. With this joint initiative of Samsung and H20 Esports, 75 young people aged 12 to 17 will have the opportunity to learn the basics of programming for free. In an intensive game-based program, they will get to work with Minecraft Code Builder, Scratch, Gamemaker and RUR-PLE, among others.
Official launch Samsung Innovation Campus with students from Bladergroen from Purmerend and the Don Bosco College from Volendam and, from left to right, June Park, President Samsung Benelux, Jan-Willem Flohil, Director of Economic Affairs and Arts and Culture of the Municipality of Amsterdam, Dirk Tuip, founder H20 Esports and Vincent Tuijp, Alderman for Social Domain and Youth of the Municipality of Edam/Volendam.
Course learning programming through gaming
The courses will take place this fall at H20 Esports in Amsterdam/Purmerend, Utrecht and Rotterdam. Each course consists of ten intensive three-hour sessions and is led by a top trainer. For this project, we are working closely with youth organizations in the regions. This is important, because every child deserves the same opportunities.
Labor shortage in ICT sector continues - solution through gaming and esports?
The Dutch ICT sector is still having very great difficulty filling its thousands of vacancies. More than half of IT vacancies are proving difficult to fill. However, employers are increasingly realizing that good gamers also have skills that they can put to use in tech careers.
June Park, president Samsung Benelux
June Park, President of Samsung Benelux says of the initiative, "With the Samsung Innovation Campus certificate in their pocket, the young people can build on their future, for example in ICT. The program lasts for 10 weeks. We hope that the participants discover where their talents lie through play. A good player in Minecraft might also have a talent for programming. Today's gamers are the tech professionals of the future."
From left to right Dirk Tuip (H20 Esports Campus), Vincent Tuijp (Alderman Edam/Volendam), June Park (President Samsung Benelux) and Thomas Conijn (Head of Legal Samsung)
Dirk Tuip, founder of H20 Esports Campus, added: "We are pleased to continue our valuable partnership with Samsung. In doing so, we allow the Dutch Esports and gaming world to play an important social role. It enables us to give more young people a push in the right direction and prepare them for a possible career in ICT."
Healthy lifestyle through gaming workshops
The workshops are organized in a responsible manner. For example, the amount of screen time is taken into account and young people get enough exercise. There are also healthy snacks and drinks.