Hamilton boosts schools digital literacy
Hamilton Insurance Group has announced changes to the funding strategy undertaken by its Community Giving Committee.
The company said that in the wake of strategic planning that identified opportunities to align Hamilton’s philanthropy in Bermuda with the company’s mission of writing the future of risk, members of the committee had decided to transition from funding a number of Bermuda-registered charities to adopting a philanthropic focus that makes a meaningful difference to the root cause of a community issue.
As a result, the committee has allocated the majority of its funding during 2018 to technology incubator ConnecTech, which contributes to the digital literacy of Bermuda’s youth.
Hamilton’s funding for ConnecTech will be in support of two coding programmes that will be offered during 2018: the first, which begins on Monday, January 15, is a pilot programme in Bermuda’s public primary schools, which will focus on teaching primary school students to code.
The second, which will be offered during school breaks and holiday periods, is the Django Girls coding programme. This international programme will bring expert instructors to the Island to offer young girls a customised opportunity to learn to code. Hamilton’s support will broaden the reach of the programme to students who wouldn’t otherwise have access to this acclaimed programme.
“We’re delighted to partner with ConnecTech on these important initiatives,” said Hamilton Re chief executive officer Kathleen Reardon. “We’re excited about the opportunity to broaden the access Bermuda’s young people have to the digital learning that will enhance their competitiveness as they progress through school and on to higher education. Their exposure to technology, computer science and computational thinking will be an invaluable tool, not only in our young people’s educational development, but in the ongoing development of Bermuda as an international business centre.
“As a company that depends on a sophisticated, multitalented workforce to achieve its mission, and that prefers to hire local talent, this investment in Bermuda’s future workforce and the Island’s overall competitiveness makes good sense for many reasons.
“We’re looking forward to working with Coral Wells and her team as these programmes are introduced to the community this year. We’d also like to express our appreciation to Minister of Education and Workforce Development the Hon. Diallo Rabain, JP, MP, Acting Commissioner Kalmar Richards, and the Ministry of Education for facilitating the introduction of this programme across all public primary schools, and to One Communications for the provision of free WiFi.”
