Finding a job is difficult, but finding a good one is even harder. The initiative, supported by the HTP and UNDP, allowed Kyrgyz people to gain confidence in the future. More than 4,000 Kyrgyz citizens are now studying on the Coursera educational platform.

The High Technologies Park of the Kyrgyz Republic with assistance from the State Committee for Information Technologies and Communications of the Kyrgyz Republic and UNDP support within the framework of the project "Digital skills and employment opportunities for young people in the digital economy" announced a competition for a free online training programme on Coursera.

This programme is aimed at those who are affected by downsizing, experiencing difficulties in finding a job or looking to gain a new skill given the Coronavirus pandemic. Upon completion of the courses (and there are over 5,000 courses in different areas), professional certificates are issued free of charge.

More than 4,000 Kyrgyz students are currently studying with Coursera and the programme will be completed at the end of December. Temporary unemployed people, students and employees of government agencies have had the opportunity to study for free. The courses have enabled them to improve their knowledge, and some of them have even found themselves in other areas of interest.

Programme participants were able to sign up for an unlimited number of courses in English or Russian based on their interests, needs and free time.

The most popular among them were programming, language courses and psychology.

Below are the TOP 10 most popular courses among Kyrgyz people.

1) Programming for all (Getting started with Python)

2) Writing professional emails in English

3) Professional English

4) Technical support (Basics)

5) Basics of programming with JavaScript, HTML and CSS

6) Grammar and punctuation (English language)

7) Course on Python

8) Work on essays (English language)

9) Business letter (English-language)

10) Introduction to psychology

This initiative is part of HTP's cooperation with Coursera, the world's leading online platform for higher education, which includes courses from institutions such a Stanford, Yale, Princeton and provides access to over 4,200 courses from top universities and world-class companies.

Coursera is a platform that provides access to free online courses in various areas. It is worth noting that several programmes can be completed here. This is a very good opportunity for every citizen of the country to realise themselves in any field, and also to improve their digital skills.