Nominet partners with the Micro:bit Educational Foundation

19th October 2016


Nominet, the public benefit company responsible for running the .UK domain, today announced its role in the new Micro:bit Educational Foundation, which launched in London on 19th October 2016. As a founding partner, Nominet will lend its weight to the new, non-profit independent organisation’s core mission to train, equip and support the coders of the future.

The Foundation has been designed to build on the success of the BBC micro:bit initiative which provided up to 1 million UK school children with mini computers on which to learn the basics of coding and realise their own digital creations.

Nominet joins the BBC and partners ARM, Samsung, Microsoft and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) in supporting the Foundation in its work to lower the barriers for young people accessing technological innovation. The focus will initially be on young people in the UK and Europe, before extending internationally in due course.

“Developing the skills and increasing the access of the next generation is vital – they will be the entrepreneurs, coders and citizens of the internet in the years to come,” said Russell Haworth, CEO of Nominet.

“We are thrilled to be involved in this ambitious programme, and see great potential in the micro:bit’s ability to help introduce young people to the ‘internet of things’ in the future.”

The Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the many technological advancements that Nominet continues to explore and develop in line with the company’s commitment to supporting the positive development of internet technology.

Adam Leach, Nominet’s Director of Research & Development, will act as a trustee on the Foundation’s board and lead Nominet’s contribution to the project. Leach and his team are already developing technology that will enhance the possibilities for youngsters, allowing the micro:bit to connect with the cloud to facilitate involvement in global projects.

“I know personally the impact the BBC Micro had on getting young people into technology 30 years ago.  Now the micro:bit is showing that coding is for everyone”, said Leach of the decision to get involved. “There’s enormous potential for the micro:bit to equip the next generation with the skills needed to build the internet of the future.”

For more information see www.microbit.co.uk