Steps to the Future

"Steps" is a symbolic name of the IT academy in Lida. It was opened with the support of the Hi-Tech Park in September, 2014. Over 280 people have received training and continue their studies there. The academy welcomes preschool children, school students and adults.

Here is the list of the most popular courses:

"Educational Informatics" (for school students in grades 1-4);

"Computer Graphics" (for school students in grades 4-8);

"Programming Fundamentals" (for students in grades 5-10);

"Digital Photo Processing" (for students in grades 6-10);

"Becoming Familiar With a Computer (for adults 50+);

"Google Services for Educational Institutions" (for teachers and educators, and city officials).

The academy also provides career counseling for 13-17-year-olds and organizes visits to different enterprises and educational institutions.

There is a club named World of Professions in the academy. They are working to create their own radio where children could get basic skills of a radio presenter.

In February 2015, the HTP resident-company New IT Outsource helped the academy to create a mobile computer lab. The lab enables Steps to conduct weekly developing classes in two preschool educational institutions. In the future, the mobile lab will be used to provide training to people with disabilities and those who cannot attend classes on their own.

Alexey Shorkin, Director of New IT Outsource: "Our company is convinced that the development of the youngest children’s interest in information technology is a valuable contribution to our future which will allow Belarus to maintain the status of the highly intelligent country and strengthen its position in the IT sphere globally."