Malaysian edutech startup Forward School announced today that it has secured US$500,000 in pre-seed funding from angel investors, including Exabyte’s Chan Kee Siak, Vitrox‘s Chu Jenn Weng, AIMS Group‘s Chiew Kok Hin, Zaid Ibrahim & Co.‘s Ang Siak Keng, and Seacliff Partners’ Brian Wong.
With the new investment, Forward School plans to move into their new campus this quarter, an integrated co-learning, and co-living space.
The intention is to immerse highly motivated students and professionals in a tech-driven community space besides creating more tech-focused programmes in computing-influenced STEAM fields that are increasing in demand from high-growth employers such as software engineering and mobile app development.
Forward School is a new technology and future skills school based in Penang, Malaysia, established to equip aspiring IT professionals with industry-ready skills required for the fast-moving tech sector. It provides a range of expert-led on-campus training in coding, data science, design, digital marketing, and more.
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Currently, the startup offers bootcamps for Android and iOS app development, React Native development, data science, and user experience design. It also offers a programme that offers a two-year NitroDegree in Applied Software Engineering, where students study and work under the sponsorship of key local tech players for a minimum starting salary of RMD3,000 (US$725).
“National and international demand for students with innovative digital and creative skills will only continue to expand as Industry 4.0 (i4.0) sweeps the globe. The challenge is not just for individuals to keep pace with technological developments but for learning institutions to lead the way. My team and I set out to design a new, revolutionary technology school that I wished had existed when I was a student,” said Howie Chang, Founder and CEO of Forward School.
The next in the pipeline for the company is to grow its subscription-based offering for corporates and individuals. The approach will provide a number of classes and workshops.
“Forward School is a revolutionary new school that focuses on expertise and skills, not paper qualification. Tertiary education today can be over-academised and as both an investor and industry leader, I trust Forward School has what it takes to lead us in charting a new model of higher education in science and technology innovation,” said Chan Kee Siak, CEO of Exabytes Group.
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