Zeina Saab, CEO, The Nawaya Network and co-founder, SE Factory always used to wonder why even though large numbers of computer science students graduated in Lebanon each year, they were not securing appropriate employment in the industry. That’s why Saab and Fadi Bizri (formerly MD of Bader Young Entrepreneurs Program and now Partner at B&Y Venture Partners) decided to jointly create SE Factory (a joint initiative between Nawaya and Bader Young Entrepreneurs Program) to upskill tech enthusiasts and graduates of the country to meet the requirements of tech companies today. SE Factory is structured as a three-month coding bootcamp to provide under-privileged and low-income youths with employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. Speaking about the motivation for the initiative, Saab says, “We thought we needed to establish a practical coding program that allows computer science/engineering students from all backgrounds and socio-economic levels to benefit from an opportunity to take their skills to the next level, and become highly employable within a very short period of time.”

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