ComputeTY 2024: DCU Coding Camp

This April, DCU’s Faculty of Engineering and Computing welcomed 140 second-level students to its Glasnevin campus for a week-long ComputeTY camp. ComputeTY introduces Transition Year students to the world of computing and programming, and provides insights into pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). The programme also aims to encourage diversity in Ireland’s STEM talent pipeline. This year, almost 40% of attendees were female, while close to 40% came from disadvantaged schools linked with DCU’s Access Programme.

ComputeTY has been an annual event in the Faculty of Engineering and Computing for 19 years, and has been completed by over 5,000 secondary school students from across Ireland. This year’s camp was generously supported by Fidelity Investments Ireland and State Street. 

Over the course of five days, the students were introduced to Python programming and participated in three different labs led by students from DCU’s School of Computing. Students also benefited from talks on the possibilities for future STEM careers from Fionnuala Dorris, VP for Cybersecurity with State Street and Margaret O’Halloran, Head of FI Technology with Fidelity Investments Ireland. The week concluded with the presentation of prizes that included the BBC Micro:bit Competition Award and a Merit Award for students that displayed impressive levels of work ethic and interest.

Speaking on their support for ComputeTY, Margaret O’Halloran, Head of FI Technology with Fidelity Investments Ireland said:

“Fidelity Ireland is delighted to once again partner with Dublin City University to proudly sponsor ComputeTY. As a business, we are committed to fostering a diverse talent pipeline for STEM by providing students early exposure to STEM subjects and careers. We were hugely impressed by the enthusiasm and engagement shown by the students who took part in this immersive programme. We believe representation is key in introducing students, and especially females, to STEM and it was fantastic to be out on campus to meet with this year's cohort with 40% female participation. We hope many of the students will consider STEM in their future studies after taking part in ComputeTY.”

Fionnuala Murphy, Vice President in Cyber Security at State Street, also spoke about their commitment to the programme, stating:

“Through the State Street Foundation, we are proud to support programmes that work to reduce inequalities in educational achievement and employment outcomes in the communities where we operate. We are proud of our ongoing partnership with ComputeTY which creates opportunities for students from communities that are traditionally underrepresented in higher education and in STEM courses to experience the exciting possibilities of future STEM careers.”