The Rootcode Foundation was launched recently with the aim of empowering underprivileged students in Sri Lanka to enter and thrive in the exciting world of technology.
Its purpose is to develop the IT and tech capabilities of less privileged schools across the country and empower children to pursue higher education and subsequent careers in the technology industry.
Rootcode believes this is a timely initiative, as the crises pertaining to the current economic challenges have paved the way for many students to forgo higher education and, in the long run, to upskill and bridge the rising divide in the talent market and contribute to Sri Lanka’s drive of becoming a sought-after tech hub both regionally and globally.
The Foundation was unveiled by Rootcode, one of Sri Lanka’s fastest-growing tech scale-ups.
The first project was initiated at the Sri Siddhartha Kanishta Vidyalaya in Horana on January 14 in the presence of teachers and students. Zonal Education Director J.D.L.V.K. Jasinghe, during his speech, commended the foundation’s approach, that it is different in contrast to many others, as it commits to the school and its children for a whole year, training them on technology, providing scholarship opportunities and aiding them in their IT infrastructure, such as building a computer lab and training its teachers.
This will give students of Sri Siddhartha Kanishta Vidyalaya, which has 85 students from grades one to 11, an ideal opportunity to learn technology. By pursuing this approach, Rootcode is not only helping the short and long-term education of the children but also the nation as a whole.
School Principal M.H.L. Chathuranga expressed his gratitude to have industry specialists teach children the IT curriculum.
Founder and CEO of Rootcode, Alagan Mahalingam said, “By learning tech, I managed to change my life, not only my life, my family’s life and possibly a generation as well.
But not everyone in the country gets the same opportunities, resources, or exposure. Through Rootcode Foundation, all of us at Rootcode are going to help underprivileged students in Sri Lanka learn technology and change the course of their lives for a better tomorrow.”
Rootcode Foundation aims to select one underprivileged school per year and focus on furthering the technological capabilities of its students through workshops and hands-on tech education activities.
Rootcoders, who are Software Engineers, Data Scientists, Artificial Intelligence Engineers, Business Analysts, and User Experience Designers, will be a part of the program throughout the year and help the students learn everything about technology.