Ali Adil Ali is a PhD student at the Faculty of Informatics, University of Debrecen, and a faculty member at Iraq’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, holding a Master’s degree in Computer Science. He is the founder of Coding for Kids Iraq, an initiative dedicated to teaching programming and robotics to Generation Alpha through a STEAM Education curriculum.
The initiative was inspired by his own son, Mustafa, whom Ali began teaching coding at age four using code.org while completing his Master’s degree in Turkey. That personal success story motivated him, upon returning to Iraq in 2013, to bring the same opportunity to children across the country.
Starting in Baghdad with free programming workshops, Ali navigated significant logistical challenges — from securing safe venues to providing computer access — by building partnerships with university computer labs. He later expanded his reach to rural villages and remote provinces, focusing on communities with limited access to technology.
Coding for Kids Iraq has organized workshops in mosques, cinemas, and even displacement camps for families affected by ISIS. The initiative also launched the “Sindbad Educational Journey”, aiming to reach all 18 Iraqi provinces and promote responsible technology use.
Ali was selected by Iraq’s Ministry of Education as a co-author of the 5th-grade computer science curriculum. His teams have competed internationally, winning top placements in the Do Your Bit and Coolest Projects competitions in the UK. He also launched the “I Contribute to Education” initiative to establish STEAM labs in public schools in rural areas, with labs already running in Baghdad and Diyala province.
