January 11, 2023
Digital is everywhere and in unexpected places.
That’s one of the main messages behind the Here We Code campaign, a Dalhousie University-lead initiative out of its Faculty of Computer Science.
Becca Rawcliffe, the faculty’s director of engagement and communications, was one of the driving forces behind the campaign. She describes it as a “rallying cry,” showing Nova Scotia and the world what our province has to offer.
“What we want to do with the Here We Code campaign is make this a point of pride for the whole province and to show everyone—from industry, from high school students, from parents—that there is a place for everyone in technology in Nova Scotia, and this is a really good place to be right now if you are interested in taking advantage of the opportunities that technology affords.”
Halifax is one of North America’s fastest-growing cities, and Rawcliffe says that digital plays a large part in that growth, touching nearly every industry.
“Even if you don’t think you are interested in technology, you might be interested in how technology can be applied to an area that you are really interested in—which is basically everything,” she said.
While the Faculty of Computer Science has seen unprecedented student growth, the graduate output is not keeping up with demand. The struggle for tech talent globally is real, and Rawcliffe said Dalhousie plays an important role to play in maintaining the sector’s success. Collaborating with government and industry, beefing up its faculty and the Here We Code campaign are just some of the ways it’s doing just that.
To learn more about the campaign and how digital is booming in Nova Scotia, tune in to episode 13 of All Hands on Tech: A new chapter for digital in Nova Scotia here or wherever you get your podcasts!