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The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataha Museveni, will preside over Uganda’s inaugural National STEM Education and VEX Robotics Championship, an event aimed at fostering innovation and equipping Uganda’s youth with critical skills for the future. Set for November 29th 2024 at the National ICT Hub in Nakawa, this event represents a major milestone for Uganda’s education system and the African School of Innovations Science and Technology (ASIST) Ltd, the event’s organizer.
The Championship, organized in partnership with the globally acclaimed VEX World Robotics Championship, has attracted over 300 students from 30 schools nationwide. Participants will compete in categories that test their creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork as they build robots to tackle real-world challenges. The top five winning teams will go on to represent Uganda at the VEX World Robotics Championship in Dallas, USA, next April, marking a thrilling opportunity for these young innovators.
The ASIST LTD/ Young Engineers Uganda founder and Board Chairman, Arinaitwe Rugyendo who confirmed the First Lady’s presence says the inaugural event marks the beginning of similar annual championships that will cover all the schools in Uganda that have embraced robotics and STEM education in their curriculum.
“Our mission since 2016 has been to nurture a critical mass of Uganda’s next generation of problem solvers using a STEM Education and Robotics curriculum that supports ongoing efforts to refine our education system by the Ministry of Education and Sports,” he said.
He added that the participating schools across Uganda have formed teams that will compete in categories focused on robotics, innovation, and real-world problem-solving.
The event will showcase a series of remarkable student projects that address urgent issues in agriculture, technology, and climate change. Each project, rooted in real-world challenges, underscores the program’s commitment to building practical skills alongside academic knowledge. ASIST Ltd. CEO, Maureen Ayebare Karamagi, promises a transformative experience for both participants and attendees, calling on the public and schools to embrace this national initiative.
Mrs Caroline Kapere Otaremwa, Chief Operating Officer of ASIST and Chair of the Organizing Committee, emphasized the event’s goals, which include promoting hands-on STEM learning and preparing Uganda’s future innovators for global platforms like the VEX World Robotics Championship. Uganda’s recent successes at VEX, including medals and a Google Badge for advancing girl’s education in STEM, highlight the potential impact of events like this.
ASIST Ltd CEO, Maureen Ayebare Karamagi, promised a memorable experience for both children and parents alike, encouraging the public, especially schools, to participate in this transformational event.
Uganda has participated twice in the VEX World Robotics Championship – in 2023 and 2024, achieving notable success. The team returned with medals and was awarded a Google Badge for its efforts in mainstreaming the girl child in STEM education, further underscoring the importance of expanding opportunities in this field for all Ugandans.
ASIST Ltd, a premier education enhancement program, has since focused on promoting STEM education skills in over 30 Ugandan schools, driving innovations and technological education to over 6000 children shaping and preparing them for the future workforce.
Through their flagship brand, Young Engineers Uganda, they have been instrumental in pioneering STEM programs across schools, promoting robotics, engineering, and digital literacy from an early age. The program has become a premier flagship initiative, providing students with the tools to compete in international arenas such as the VEX Robotics Championship.
The VEX World Robotics Championship is an annual global robotics competition in Dallas, USA. Students from over 40 countries showcase their robotic skills in problem-solving challenges. The competition provides a platform for students to apply STEM concepts in real-world scenarios, encouraging innovation, creativity, and collaboration among participants.