Manal Hakim

Jobs of the future require skills of the future

STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) has become an important framework for education as more jobs require these skills. By 2030, demand for candidates to fill coding and technology positions is expected to surpass supply. These jobs of the future often bring technology into traditional careers—think of robot-assisted surgery—and include disciplines such as engineering, computer science, and digital marketing.

Studies show that learning to code at a young age improves logical thinking. Parents who understand the positive effects of tech literacy on children’s cognitive abilities and future careers are eager for this type of education. Yet access to STEM-based educational content, especially in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), is limited. Existing options such as educational toys, in-person learning center classes, or YouTube videos do not provide a cohesive, customized learning experience.

From art to ed-tech

Manal Hakim became aware of this problem through a series of serendipitous business decisions. After graduating from the American University in Beirut and working in investment banking, she created her own brand of bespoke knitwear and ran a concept store for 10 years. Her next move launched what would evolve into her current venture.

Geek Express started out as a creative gallery for subcultural pop art in Saifi Village, the art district of downtown Beirut. Under this umbrella, the business launched a STEM toy, but it did not gain the traction Manal was hoping for, as potential customers were reluctant to experiment with such technology. At that point, the company’s core concept shifted spontaneously when Manal started hosting casual tech workshops for K-12 students on Saturdays for a couple of hours.

The workshops were well received and were met with increasing demand from students and parents alike. “The first group of 20 kids became 100. Eventually we decided that Geek Express needed to become a dedicated ed-tech platform that teaches technology in an engaging and accessible way,” Manal says. These early stages marked the transformation of Geek Express from an art gallery to an ed-tech platform for coding courses.

STEM skills independent of age, location, and medium of learning

Today, Geek Express offers a platform that teaches STEM skills to K-12 students in the MENA region. Students engage in an adaptable learning journey through live online coding programs and bootcamps, home-delivered DIY boxes, and self-paced video lessons. They can switch among these learning media for a custom experience. Along the way, they can enjoy a gamified experience on the app, earning points and badges, and compete internationally with a wider community.

While the need for STEM education is great in Manal’s home country of Lebanon, her goal is to expand. “We’ve started with the UAE in 2020 and Saudi Arabia in 2021. Egypt and Bahrain are on the timeline. The idea is to become the leading ed-tech hub in the MENA region.”

As the world heads into what is being called the fifth industrial revolution, K-12 schools around the world are changing the way they teach. Geek Express has already embraced this future by proposing a hybrid learning model accessible to all.