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Written by Knovo Editor Team

Singapore definitely does not shy away from technology ranking as the 8th most technologically advanced country in 2021. According to an Amazon Web Services survey, Singapore needs an increase of 55% in the digitally skilled workforce by 2025 in order to meet its economy’s demand.

Unfortunately, this growth in the tech industry has not been an equal one as women still only make up 30% of the tech industry in Singapore. This inequality does not reflect in just the employment rates but also results in gender-biased outputs which can have severe societal impacts. When the majority of digital solutions are created by men, the majority of the results also cater to men. When tackling gender-related issues in society it is necessary to include the voice of female creators if we truly want to work towards a better future.

WOMEN IN TECH : Empire Code’s Co-Founder Felicia Chua Shares Her Journey with Knovo

What’s your background? How did you (both) come to be doing what you’re doing?

I have always been interested in education, in college, I was a member of the Leo Club where I tutored children and teens from underprivileged backgrounds. So when Jasmine approached me to partner her in setting up a coding school, I jumped at the opportunity. I believe strongly that technology will soon have an impact on every aspect of our lives, and it is our responsibility to educate the younger generation.

Could you introduce Empire Code? What are the key problems your company looked to tackle when you first started out? How has it evolved since?

We started in 2016 as a startup in Singapore’s incubator hub BLOCK 71, and re-branded ourselves as Empire Code in 2018. 

Empire Code Founders
Felicia Chua (left), Jasmine Tang (Right) Co-founders Empire Code

The group now comprises of Empire Code Education for computer science training, Empire Code Launchpad for software development, and Empire Code Loves Back our social enterprise.  When we first started out, the main obstacle we faced was the lack of awareness on the importance of Computer Science among local parents due to the lack of technopreneurs per capita in Singapore. Through the pandemic however, we have seen an increase in our students, as parents are now more aware of the importance of technology.

Do you have any advice for aspiring female technopreneurs?

It’s not easy, but keep learning, keep growing, keep your head up! Find a mentor to bounce your ideas off and to guide you on your journey. My father, an engineer turned successful business owner through sheer determination, has been my mentor till today.

How can people connect with you?

We can be contacted through email at partners@empirecode.co or via Linkedin:
Jasmine Tang: www.linkedin.com/in/jasmine-a-tang/
Felicia Chua: www.linkedin.com/in/feliciachua-ec

Click here to read the full interview.

WHAT’S NEXT IN EDTECH?

With every industry shifting its course, the edtech industry is focusing on upskilling as more universities partner up with major players such as edX, Guild Education and Coursera.

World Economic Forum, INSIGHT REPORT JANUARY 2021, <https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/issues/upskilling/shared-prosperity/upskilling_for_shared_prosperity_final.pdf> 

Never Too Early To Start Debating

With a shifting focus on non academic skills, debating is an indispensable skill that one should strive to improve. Debating has shown to not only help young kids but also adults to build skills such as effective communication, critical thinking, and public speaking. These attributes can help individuals improve their workplace productivity and also improve their overall quality of life. In today’s highly interconnected world, it is necessary to prioritise skills that aid us in keeping up with current topics and also up to par with everyone. These qualities contribute towards building a holistic skill set which can be applied to our everyday lives. 

If you wish to learn more about this valuable skill, Knovo has hosted a live talk show with 8 time Debate Champion and esteemed tournament judge across multiple countries – Coach Ian Dylan Chai. Click here to watch our insightful conversations about the world of debate! 

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