Master coding and game design with a living gaming legend

Applications now open for BT Academy’s new Diploma in Programming, Video Games, and Society, taught by Shahid Kamal Ahmad

Shahid Kamal Ahmad's Diploma in Programming, Video Games, and Society is designed for Muslim professionals from the ranks of developers, designers, educators, policymakers, cultural critics, and anyone seeking to understand how video games have shaped and continue to influence every aspect of modern life.

Drawing on over 40 years of experience spanning programming, design, production, music, publishing, public speaking, business development and strategic leadership at the forefront of the industry, Shahid will teach the fundamental principles of code — what it is, why it matters, and how understanding it is essential to grasping the significance of video games to modern society.

This course will also explore how these principles are particularly relevant to Muslim professionals, who can face unique challenges in navigating technological and cultural change. By understanding the mechanics of code and the design of interactive systems, participants can better engage with the digital world and challenge reductive narratives that often scapegoat video games. Demystification of some of the processes that shape our lives is an important step in lifting one of the veils of delusion that we are often unaware of.

Video games are frequently misunderstood and blamed for societal issues, yet this narrative obscures the deeper lessons they offer about problem-solving, systems thinking, and human behaviour. The systems and design principles that underpin video games now influence countless aspects of modern life — from loyalty schemes to political campaigns, leveraging game theory, telemetry, and analytics to shape behaviour and outcomes. Understanding these frameworks offers crucial insights for those seeking to navigate an increasingly gamified world.

The course will provide students with tangible skills and actionable insights — whether through understanding programming fundamentals, dissecting design principles, or exploring the creative processes behind some of the most impactful games of our time.

This Diploma aims to empower students with the technical literacy, critical thinking, and practical knowledge necessary to understand and contribute meaningfully to the evolving landscape of video games and a world increasingly underpinned by them.