ACM Student Chapter, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri Campus and Cochin Refineries School, Ambalamugal, organized a one day workshop on Competitive Programming and Problem Solving for high school computer science teachers, on 12^th November, 2016, at Cochin Refineries School, Ambalamugal. More than 100 teachers from over 50 schools across Ernakulam attended this one day theory-cum-practical workshop which aimed at sensitizing teachers on the latest and emerging trends of application development in the software industry, by applying core computer science topics like data structures, algorithms and computational mathematics. In the second phase, teachers will identify the budding talents in young programmers across high schools in Kerala. These school students will be trained by a team of eminent faculty to compete in the national and international programming competitions. 

India is becoming a potential ground for multinational companies to recruit young and talented brains in computer programming. Drawing inspiration from Malavika Joshi, a school student who won the Indian National Olympiad in Informatics this year, ACM Student Chapter of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri Campus used this workshop as a platform to identify and train school students for National and International Olympiads.

Anand Shenoi, Regional Contest Director for ACM ICPC explained: “This is going to be a first of its kind teacher’s workshop organized in Kerala. We wish to spread the awareness on competitive programming among high school students in Kerala so that their talents can be utilized in developing high quality, efficient, computer applications beneficial for the society. Thanks to Ms. Premlata Shaji, teacher from Cochin Refineries School in taking initiative to organize such a workshop.”

Ms. Premlata Shaji, coordinator of the workshop said, “Catch them young ! Hidden in the corner of some classrooms are the “Data Scientists “ of tomorrow. It is the ethical responsibility of a computer science teacher to identify the spark in a gifted child, who exhibits an out-of-box thinking. Data applications, algorithms, and architectures may be his cup of tea. The ultimate aim of this workshop was to create an awareness amongst teachers to spot such hidden talent, for which teachers need to groom themselves with computing technology and the latest trends. The second phase of the workshop would involve preparing students for some of the most exciting Olympiads where they will find many opportunities to collaborate, build, and gain valuable experience while participating in programming events that are organized by national and international bodies. The focus is to bring out a culture of a vibrant community of teachers and students that develop environmentally, culturally, and economically sustainable technologies. I wish to sincerely thank Shri. Anand Shenoi, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, for this “need of the hour” School Outreach Initiative.”