Since 1991, Obradovic has been working at Sombor Gymnasium, except for a brief period from 1993 to 1997 when he worked as a programmer in a software company. He has a strong focus on competitive algorithmic programming, achieving significant success with his students. Several of his former students now work for renowned companies like Microsoft and Nordeus.

His accolades include leading his school team to victory in the High School Programming League 2012/13 and consistently participating in all 15 Microsoft “Bubble Cup” Finals. Obradovic has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to education, receiving prestigious awards such as the “Svetosavska nagrada” from the Serbian Minister of Education and the “Charter of the City” from Sombor.

Despite his programming achievements, Obradovic also prioritizes outdoor activities. For the past 18 years, he has organized nature expeditions for his students, involving canoeing, mountain climbing, and wilderness camping, covering over 1000 km per season. Additionally, Obradovic participates annually in the international programming competition CodeIT, where he not only guides his students but also competes alongside them, showcasing his dedication to both their development and his own continuous learning.

With a strong commitment to both programming and outdoor education, Obradovic continues to inspire and lead his students, fostering their talents in various domains.

For DevStyleR, the man who learned to code without a computer – Dusko Obradovic shares more about the importance of programming in his life, reveals to us the secret of a successful and beloved leader, and what it feels like to stand next to his students during CodeIT.

What does programming mean to you and how did your love for it develop?

At first, programming was just my job. Fortunately1, my programming career lasted for only 3 years. I had been working in a firm which made programs for accounting, and those challenges faded very quickly. For the following 3 years, I was working in Hungary as an entrepreneur in retail. Since 1998 until today I have been working in Grammar School in Sombor as an IT teacher. Ever since then, for me programming is pure pleasure.

You mentioned that you learned to program without a computer. How is that possible?

I suppose that today it would be very difficult. Almost impossible. Not because today’s children couldn’t do it, but because today’s technology makes the process of learning programming easier. At that time, there was no other way. I wrote my first program on a programmable calculator after 15 months of learning from a notebook and a board. I wrote my first program on a computer after 2,5 years, in 1984 in PASCAL on Honeywell. Soon after that, the first personal computers appeared on my faculty, but we didn’t have access like today – one or two times a week, for a few hours, mostly at night. There was no internet for us, mere mortal students.

The school team you lead in Serbia is the only one in the world that has participated in all 16 finals of the Microsoft “Bubble Cup”. How do you achieve such success?

We could say that at the beginning it was just a lucky set of circumstances, which in time grew into something inevitable. Experiences of older teams and their stories year after year inspire new generations to take part in qualification competitions. In the past 8 years, CodeIT qualifications have had the same priority with us as well.

These two competitions, and especially the marathons assignments, are priceless in the process of my students’ advance. Knowing that they have 20 days to solve the problem makes most of them to learn new algorithms and structures in that period so that they would make their placement better.

The fact that you don’t have to catch the beginning of the competition, that even less efficient solutions are also valued and the lack of time penalties all brought to the fact that longer qualification rounds are more popular in my school than the sprint rounds. Even if we put aside those who are satisfied with even getting a shirt, we can say that the fever of CodeIT and Bubble Cup is always present in our school.

You have received numerous awards in Serbia, including the “Svetosavskа Award” and the “Povelja grada”.

Both awards are not just the product of success in programming. Over a month which I spend in nature with my students has equally contributed, if not even more, to receiving those awards. I divide my year into programming season: from the finals of Bubble Cup at the end of September, over winter and spring, until the end of the finals of CodeIT at the beginning of June; and on the adventurous season: during the summer. This other includes camping, fishing and ecological-rowing expeditions. During those, we compensate nine months of cyberspace with the life in a complete natural environment without any comfort.

What is the secret to building a cohesive community that competes among itself in various competitions?

Today’s way of life, which is considered as a contemporary value, and extreme influence of mass media led to the fact that in Serbia there are no more colleagues ready to do something like that. As far as I know, it is similar in Bulgaria as well.
The other reasons are, that those who have the knowledge to pass on to new generations will rather work somewhere else for 2000+ EUR instead for 750EUR, which is the salary for teachers in Serbia.

I wouldn’t call my way of work a secret.

• – With my students I don’t have a typical teacher – student relationship. We are all pals, and in many programming competitions and on CodeIT in finals we compete against each other. (This does not apply when I have to mark them).
• Experiences of earlier generations from their faculties and jobs in IT companies, through the students themselves, their friends and relatives in one small town are easily spread, so many elementary school pupils are coming to my extra classes even before they enroll Grammar School.
• My extra-curricular classes are open to students from other schools as well.
• There are no divisions on gender, classes, religions… so, except on competitions, you can always count on help of those who are around you.
• Many of those students enjoy the natural beauties of Serbia with me, next to some water during a big part of summer in the adventurous season.
• In the programming season I do about 5 hours of extra-curricular classes a week. On the contrary to other professions in Serbia, doing extra hours in teaching is not paid.

How do you prepare students for Olympiads and competitions, and what is the best advice you give them before each event?

Before competitions in our country there is a list of advice that competitors should acquire. That list was based on hundreds of points that previous students had lost on their competitions, and that led to a difference in points on their expense.
Choice of the adequate type of data structures and their sizes.
Obligatory winning the partial points, if there are some.
Narrowing down of the possible ways of solving the tasks based on given limitations.
And many more…

Nemanja Majski is my only student who has achieved this so far. And for more than a year he has been working alone and going to Belgrade at weekends, where he and a few more students have been prepared for the international competitions. This, of course, makes me proud.

Talent or hard work – which one is the key to success?

It depends on what you consider a success. If success is getting a job in an IT company, it doesn’t matter. If the aim is to work in a better firm with a bigger salary, it is possible to achieve with less talent and much work or vice versa.

If success is reaching a level where you can choose where you want to work, you need both talent and a lot and a lot of work.

Now that you have mentioned this, I have to say that it is a big pity that in our two countries a good system doesn’t exist. It all depends on the individual. There are talented children everywhere. The proof for that are not so big towns like Sombor (SRB) and Shumen (BG). Whether they will be found and start their way in which their talent will be fully used, depends on luck as well. You should be born in a town like this or its surrounding at the time when there live enthusiasts who put long-term strategic aims in front of their own personal material ones.

You have been competing alongside your students at CodeIT for years. What do you feel and think when you stand next to them during a competition?

Since the codes are public after the competition, I cannot hide the ways I approach solving of the marathon tasks. Honestly, that is not my aim at all. But during earlier competitions that was my advantage. Tempo in which I type and test, comparing to my students, is certainly my handicap. Even reading the text of the task takes a considerable amount of my time. I still manage to compensate that by experience, but it is getting more and more difficult. It happens more and more often that one or even more of them beat me on the same competition. The last sprint round on CodeIT was a disaster for me. I didn’t manage to solve not one task in given time. My ages are getting me. Luckily, I have no problem with the fact that my students are beating me.

What advice would you give to future participants in CodeIT?

The first piece of advice is to be persistent and patient. I have recently tickled the CodeIT officials to, besides presentation of the Great Guru, organize one of the little Guru, i.e. me, where I would, at least to younger participants, convey a few very useful pieces of advice when solving marathon tasks. If they get lucky and that really happens, in future their results in marathon tasks will certainly be better.

Besides this, play computer games less. That is a waste of time and you have no use from it, but a current satisfaction. Successfully finished combat with the solving of a programming problem can give you a similar feeling, with the difference that this will definitely help you in your future profession.

The initiative is organized by the Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan and IT Park Uzbekistan.

The aim of the “Offshore Outsourcing Tour” is to introduce international corporations to Uzbekistan’s potential in the field of information technology and outsourcing, as well as to showcase the opportunities and initiatives implemented by the government to promote investment in the country.

Uzbekistan’s Potential as an Outsourcing Destination

In recent years, Uzbekistan has emerged as the new attractive outsourcing destination. The country offers unprecedented tax incentives, customs preferences and various support programs.

Since 2017, exports or IT services exports have increased from USD 700 thousand to USD 344 million in 2023. The number of residents with foreign capital in IT Park has increased twenty-fold in the last two years, reaching 464 entities, while the total number of residents of the organization amounts to 1828 companies.

One of the Republic’s biggest goals is to export IT services worth a total of $5 billion by 2030, a 14.5-fold increase compared to 2023 figures.

The organization of various international events such as the “Uzbekistan Outsourcing Conference” and the “Uzbekistan Tech Conference” contributes to the realization of this goal.

IT Park representatives actively participate in international IT events, organize visits with foreign organizations and corporations, work to improve the legal framework and create more favorable conditions and opportunities. Also, efforts are being made to establish the International Centre for Digital Technologies “Enterprise Uzbekistan”.

“Offshore Outsourcing Tour” and the Advantages of Uzbekistan for Establishing a Global Business

The “Offshore Outsourcing Tour” event will be attended by over 200 representatives of foreign companies and organizations, and participants will be introduced to the main advantages of Uzbekistan for global business ventures. Some of these advantages are related to highly skilled employees who are fluent in foreign languages; good tax conditions with 0% corporate, social, property and land tax rates, customs preferences and zero VAT rate; support programs; IT visa with a term of up to three years; the opportunity to set up a business in just 6-8 weeks, with the “One Stop Shop” service, and continuous support from IT Park during this time.

The event starts today in Tashkent. Speakers are Sherzod Shermatov, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Digital Technology and Farhad Ibrahimov, CEO of IT Park Uzbekistan.

The first day includes two panel discussions that will cover topics related to talent development and innovation in education and the performance of the outsourcing ecosystem in Uzbekistan, outlining the specifics and interests of the ITES industry in the country.

A roundtable discussion on navigating the IT outsourcing market in Uzbekistan will be held tomorrow in Samarkand. Participants will receive information from industry experts on the key steps in establishing and doing business in Uzbekistan.

The last day of the event is dedicated to a cultural program in Samarkand, including visits to famous historical sites.

Every year, the event brings together young people from different countries to present academic research projects. FISSION is organized by a select group of ACS students under the guidance of the school administration and Dr. Krasimira Chakurova, ACS physics teacher.

Participants are students from 5th to 12th grade, from different parts of Bulgaria and the world.

During the science fair, all students have the opportunity to submit projects in categories ranging from biomedical, biological and chemical sciences to ecology and environmental sciences, computer science, mathematics, physics and engineering.

Hotel accommodation is provided for all teams coming from outside of Sofia on the evening of April 12, and food and beverages are available for all participants and their supervisors during the event.

Each project is assessed by a panel of established scientists and experts. After the projects are carefully reviewed and evaluated, the jury awards students with “Best Project” Award or “Honorable Mention”Award in each category.

The event schedule includes campus tours, workshops and lectures for participants and their supervisors by guest speakers and scholars, and various networking opportunities.

The event is also open to visitors and guests on April 13, 2024.

Last year’s edition of FISSION was a huge success and was the first in-person edition since 2019. 104 students, together with their supervisors, presented a total of 55 projects, and many visitors had the opportunity to take a look at the projects and enjoy the event schedule.

This year, FISSION International Science Fair will once again welcome participants from all over the world and encourage them to inquire and inspire. The registration for the event continues to be open in February.

More information can be found on the FISSION website, as well as on Facebook and Instagram.

Read more:
1. Amazon Announces New Updates to Amazon Bedrock
2. GitHub Opens New Group for AI-Focused Open Source Projects
3. The CodeIT 2024 Team for the Competition and the Journey into the World of Programming

Since 2007 CodeIT is held under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria – Rumen Radev with the support of numerous business and academic partners dedicated to the mission of supporting IT talents in the country and around the world.

The patrons of the first round are prof. Anastas Gerdzhikov, Rector of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” Kliment Ohridski”; Prof. Maya Stoyanova, Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and Dr. Antoan Tonev, Director of SMG “Paisii Hilendarski”.

All participants with a non-zero result will receive a prize – a T-shirt with the vision of the new season, and five participants in each of the 6 rounds will receive additional prizes on a draw provided by the sponsors – Cougar Gaming and Prestigio, as well as a special CodeIT sweatshirt.

Media partners of the competition are DevStyleR and B2B Media.

The combination of all this is the reason why the resort of Albena was chosen to host the summer edition of Java2Days 2023 from 27 to 29 June. An event that combines the useful with the pleasant and an event that has no analogue.

The resort has been awarded a Green Oscar for its remarkable contribution to the environment. Albena is committed to sustainability, investing in energy efficiency, renewable energy, recycling, and smart resource use. The company has built a local circular economy with biogas, agricultural production, and waste utilization. Additionally, Albena participates in two projects within the European Innovation Program Horizon 2020, focusing on sustainable energy development.

Join at Java2Days 2023 and enjoy the enriching combination of cutting-edge Java discussions in the breathtaking surroundings of Albena Resort. You will create memories of sun, sea, warmth, and nature, while exploring the future of Java in a sustainable and eco-friendly setting.

Register here now and be part of this unforgettable experience.

Java2Days 2023 Summer Edition will offer an exclusive opportunity for Java enthusiasts from around the world to come together and take a closer look at the latest trends in software development.

The summer edition of Java2Days 2023 promises to be a unique event of its kind, combining the warm and positive mood that summer brings and the excitement that lies behind technology.

Participants will be able to enjoy three days full of diverse activities – interesting talks, practical workshops and unique job opportunities. In addition, attendees will be able to meet and get to know new people with whom they will have the opportunity to build important relationships and learn many new things – in person, in the beautiful resort of Albena or online, from the comfort of home.

Here’s a glimpse of what’s in store for Java2Days 2023 Summer Edition:

🔸 Expert-led sessions: Learn from world-class speakers, including Java Champions and industry leaders, as they share their insights, experiences, and techniques to help you level up your Java game.

🔸 Hands-on workshops: Dive into practical, skill-building workshops designed to sharpen your expertise and expand your knowledge of the Java ecosystem.

🔸 Engaging panel discussions: Participate in thought-provoking conversations exploring the future of Java and its impact on the ever-evolving world of technology.

🔸 Networking opportunities: Connect with fellow Java enthusiasts, developers, and professionals from around the globe, both in person and virtually, to share ideas and forge lasting relationships.

🔸 Exclusive Swag: Grab your limited-edition Java2Days 2023 Summer Edition swag and merchandise to show off your Java pride!

Whether you decide to join the event in person at the breathtaking Albena resort, or join virtually, the summer edition of Java2Days 2023 is an event you won’t want to miss.

Mark your calendars and get ready to write the future of Java together, with sun, sea, and code!

For more information on Java2Days 2023 Summer Edition and to secure your tickets, visit www.java2days.com. Stay tuned for updates on speakers, sessions, and more!

The media outlet also tells one of its latest stories that the company is now emphasizing more mass assembly of Apple products in other parts of Asia, particularly India and Vietnam, and is seeking to reduce dependence on Taiwanese assembly plants run by Foxconn Technology Group.

The turmoil in the place called iPhone City has helped Apple change its operations. In the giant city-within-a-city of Zhengzhou, China, 300,000 workers work in a Foxconn-run factory to produce iPhones and the company’s other products.

In late November, the Zhengzhou factory was rocked by violent protests. In videos posted on the internet, workers dissatisfied with Covid-19’s wages and restrictions are seen throwing objects and shouting “Stand up for your rights!”.

According to analysts and people in Apple’s supply chain, after events that have weakened China’s status as a robust manufacturing hub, the turmoil means Apple is no longer comfortable having much of its business tied up in one place.

According to people involved in the discussions, Apple has told its manufacturing partners that it wants to start trying to do more of that work outside of China. If places like India and Vietnam can’t do NPI as well, they’ll be left playing second fiddle, supply chain specialists say.

Apple and China have spent decades engaging in a relationship that has so far been mostly mutually beneficial. Change won’t come overnight. Apple still releases new iPhone models every year, along with constant updates to its iPads, laptops and other products. It should continue to run the plane while it changes the engine.

 “Apple will have to find plenty of places to replace iPhone City. They’ll have to spread it out and make more villages instead of big cities.”

,Mr Pancica said.

The turmoil in the place called iPhone City has helped Apple change its operations. In the giant city-within-a-city in Zhengzhou, China, 300,000 workers work in a factory run by Foxconn to produce iPhones and other Apple products.

In late November, the Zhengzhou factory was rocked by violent protests. In videos posted on the internet, workers dissatisfied with Covid-19’s wages and restrictions are seen throwing objects and shouting “Stand up for your rights!”.

According to analysts and people in Apple’s supply chain, after events that have weakened China’s status as a robust manufacturing hub, the turmoil means Apple is no longer comfortable having much of its business tied up in one place.

According to people involved in the discussions, Apple has told its manufacturing partners that it wants to start trying to do more of that work outside of China. If places like India and Vietnam can’t do NPI as well, they’ll be left playing second fiddle, supply chain specialists say.

“Apple will have to find multiple places to replace iPhone City. They’re going to have to spread it out and do more villages instead of big cities.”

said Mr. Pancica, a former Foxconn executive

Apple and China have spent decades engaging in a relationship that has so far been mostly mutually beneficial. Change won’t come overnight. Apple still releases new iPhone models every year, along with constant updates to its iPads, laptops and other products. It should continue to run the plane while it changes the engine.

The Digital Scouts app is available completely for free in the two online shops App Store and Google Play and became the most downloaded app in the “Games” category of the App Store.

The easiest question for the users was related to Instagram – ”What is forbidden on Instagram?” and the most difficult one was “Which behavior on the Internet does NOT pose any danger?”

The Little scouts were not alone in their online adventures. The campaign was joined by popular influencers such as Andy Studio, Balan, Haha.bg and Isabel Ovcharova, who have been part of the campaign since its very beginning. Online safety is an important topic for the gamer Konstantin Kanev (nothxtv) and Emil Conrad too, who  also took part in communicating the campaign to the youngsters.

Scratch was already a popular option. It’s been around since 2007 as a way to make animations and simple video games by combining Lego-like icons representing different coding functions. But in the 12 months beginning in March 2020—as schools across the country went remote for health reasons—usage spiked, and the number of projects shared on the service rose to 23 million, roughly double the amount from the previous year.

Meanwhile the service has been going through some big changes behind the scenes. Starting in 2019, leaders have been moving the project out of the Media Lab to spin it off as its own nonprofit, called the Scratch Foundation, with new digs just across the Charles River in Boston. And there’s a new focus on supporting better teaching practices around using Scratch rather than just doing software updates. (A new refresh of the Scratch system had just been released in January 2019.)

As part of that push, the group is holding its first online conference for educators next week. In the past, Scratch had held events at the Media Lab for teachers, but those were always limited to a few hundred participants and required a registration fee. This year the event is free, and there’s no cap on attendees—already more than 4,000 people from about 120 countries have signed up.

EdSurge connected this week with the MIT professor whose research group developed Scratch, Mitch Resnick, to hear what’s next for the coding tool and what he learned from remote learning during the pandemic. The interview has been lightly edited for grammar and readability.