Samsung Electronics Operates 'Samsung Junior SW Academy' in 400 Elementary and Middle Schools

Reflecting On-Site Demand, AI Education Starts This Year
200 Schools Each in 1st and 2nd Semesters

Nanjeop Middle School in Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, which operates the 'Samsung Junior SW Academy,' is conducting AI classes.
[Photo by Samsung Electronics]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] Samsung Electronics announced on the 21st that it will operate the '2021 Samsung Junior SW Academy' for 400 elementary and middle schools nationwide.

The Samsung Junior SW Academy is a software education program that Samsung Electronics has been conducting since 2013 to expand the base of domestic software education and nurture future talent. Starting this year, AI (Artificial Intelligence) education will be provided reflecting on-site demand. The program will be divided into first and second semesters, each conducted at 200 schools, covering ▲ Understanding AI ▲ AI practice ▲ Project classes to improve problem-solving skills independently ▲ AI ethics.

Yoon Soo-yeon, a teacher at Jinjeop Middle School in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, which started the academy on the 16th, said, "We opened the Samsung Junior SW Academy course as part of the first-year middle school free semester system, and many students showed interest and applied," adding, "We will strive to make this education essential for students who will live with AI."

Samsung Electronics also provides training for teachers in charge of software education at schools operating the Samsung Junior SW Academy. Educational content and practice kits are provided for both teachers and students. Until last year, 2,500 teachers and 82,000 students participated in the Samsung Junior SW Academy.

Samsung Electronics is conducting various CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) programs to foster software talent. A representative example is the 'Samsung Junior SW Creation Contest,' a software competition held since 2015 for elementary, middle, and high school students nationwide to recognize social issues around them and solve problems using software. Since December 2018, Samsung has also established the 'Samsung Youth SW Academy' to provide software education aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of young people preparing for employment.