The Digital Literacy and Computational Thinking course at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has been developed in partnership with the Hong Kong branch of an American multinational technology corporation. The aim of the course is to increase students’ knowledge of cloud computing and strengthen their digital skills.
With the use of the tech company’s Lab Services Cloud Virtual Machine (VM) solution, CUHK is providing students with the ability to complete hands-on exercises through high-performance applications on their own devices, regardless of their device configuration, anytime and anywhere.
The course is designed to give students foundational skills in data literacy and IT processing, which are essential for success in today’s workplace. During the first year, 3,500 first-year students will have the opportunity to learn about coding and data processing in daily life. Over the next five years, this program is expected to benefit more than 16,000 individuals.
The Digital Literacy and Computational Thinking course was implemented as a core requirement in the 2022-23 academic year, and all students from all faculties are mandated to pass the three-credit course in order to graduate. The program provides hands-on training in cloud computing and other crucial areas, giving students from diverse fields of study the digital skills necessary for success in the future. This course aims to inspire students with the possibilities of technology, particularly cloud computing.
The use of the Lab Services VM solution is a crucial aspect of CUHK’s five-year plan, “CUHK 2025”. The objective of this initiative is to prepare students to “Meet Challenges of Tomorrow”. The acquisition of digital literacy and IT skills are central components of this plan.
CUHK’s Provost stated that the digital revolution will have a profound impact on society and drive economic growth in the future. He noted that the Digital Literacy and Computational Thinking course has been incorporated as a central part of the curriculum because it is deemed critical in preparing our undergraduate students for the rapidly evolving workplace of the 21st century.
By the end of the 2022-23 academic year, 3,500 first-year students will have completed the course. This represents a significant improvement to the curriculum and is the first mandatory course of its kind for university students in Hong Kong. With the support of the company, students can acquire practical skills at their own pace, which will be beneficial to their future success.
The Director of the Public Sector Group at the tech giant’s Hong Kong stated that acquiring digital literacy is a fundamental capability, and providing young talent with digital skills has been a long-standing commitment for us. She noted that over the years, the company has been dedicated to supporting local educators in transforming their teaching and learning methods with the use of its technologies and resources.
Now, they are pleased to use the Lab Services to assist CUHK in establishing its Digital Literacy and Computational Thinking course, which aims to foster students’ creativity and equip them with fundamental, future-proof digital skills.
She added that it is a privilege to be able to empower both educators and students to approach the digital future with confidence. In the future, the company aims to continue to support the education sector and promote the development of digital literacy.
