Serbia's ICT Exports Boom: Compulsory IT Education in Schools Credited

Serbia has witnessed a remarkable surge in its annual Information and Communication Technology (ICT) exports, a feat Prime Minister Ana Brnabic attributes to strategic educational reforms and sector development initiatives. The introduction of compulsory IT education in schools, starting with coding and programming classes in 2017, alongside investments in specialized IT classes and the expansion of tech faculties, have catalyzed a tenfold increase in ICT exports over the last eleven years. In 2022 alone, the value of these exports reached €2.692 billion, marking a 45 percent increase from the previous year and contributing to 10 percent of Serbia's GDP.

Brnabic emphasized the pivotal role of education in this growth, particularly highlighting Serbia's strong foundation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. Starting IT education at an early age for children between 10 and 11 years allows them to become acquainted with technology and the digital world. Despite concerns regarding online addiction among youth, Brnabic pointed out that managing screen time is primarily a family responsibility, emphasizing the importance of balancing online activities with physical and social engagements.

As one of the youngest prime ministers globally, Brnabic praised the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for its focus on both physical and tech education in schools. She underscored the significance of mutual learning and adopting successful strategies from other nations. Addressing the challenges posed by rapidly evolving technologies like artificial intelligence, Brnabic stressed the necessity for governments to continually enhance their services to citizens, investors, and businesses.

During her tenure as Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government in 2016, Brnabic spearheaded the introduction of e-government in Serbia. She expressed admiration for the UAE's achievements in e-government, considering it a global leader in this domain, and expressed Serbia's intention to learn from the UAE's experiences to further advance its digitalization efforts.

The two countries have recently fortified their relationship through a Strategic Partnership Agreement and are nearing the completion of negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Brnabic expressed gratitude towards the UAE for its support during the COVID-19 pandemic and voiced her ambition to strengthen bilateral ties further.

In conclusion, Brnabic highlighted the importance of engaging young people in public life, advocating for increased youth participation in governance. She acknowledged the challenge of sparking interest among young individuals but remained optimistic about the role of education systems in addressing this issue.

With inputs from WAM