I call our sixth principle Relevant & Impactful. As someone who completely changed careers from an import-export manager to a developer, I understand the words "reskill" and "upskill" on a deeply personal level.
The World in Constant Motion
The world of technology is in constant motion. Old skills become obsolete, making way for new ones. Job titles might stay the same, but the skills required are vastly different. The job of a developer today bears little resemblance to the era of punch cards. There even used to be a formal job title called "Computer" for people who performed calculations—a role that has since vanished entirely. This constant evolution means that lifelong learning isn't just a nice idea; it's a necessity for survival and growth.
The Two Gaps
This also highlights a challenge I've repeatedly observed in formal education. Don't get me wrong, university education is valuable—I myself enrolled in a computer science program. However, in many parts of the world, it often lacks a crucial component: practical, real-world application. I've led many bright graduates who have a strong theoretical foundation but are unprepared for the realities of a development job, forcing them to be retrained from the ground up.
On the other hand, I've also worked with brilliant, self-taught developers who have incredible practical skills but lack some of the formal, foundational knowledge from a structured education. While they are very effective, this gap can sometimes limit their potential for future growth into more complex architectural or leadership roles.
Bridging Both Worlds
Our organization aims to bridge both of these gaps. This is the heart of our Relevant & Impactful principle.
• Our education must be Relevant: It needs to be practical, hands-on, and directly connected to the skills the industry demands today. This is how we serve the graduate who has theory but needs practice.
• Our education must be Impactful: It must provide the solid, foundational knowledge that allows for long-term growth and adaptability. This is how we serve the practitioner who has skills but needs a deeper understanding to go further.
This is where this principle connects directly with our others. Through Principle #3 (Individualized), learners can choose their own path to fill the specific gaps they have, whether theoretical or practical. And through Principle #1 (Accessible), we ensure that this crucial reskilling and upskilling is available to anyone who needs it to navigate their career.
Ultimately, our goal is to provide an education that doesn't just prepare someone for their first job, but empowers them for a long and successful career in a world that never stops changing.