UNDP, NEC-UPDF Join 9 Institutions to Support Robotics Championship

Kampala, Uganda – 27th November 2024 – The stage is set for the National STEM and Vex Robotics Education Championship, a testament to Uganda’s burgeoning interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Young Engineers Uganda, a flagship brand of the African School of Innovations Science and Technology (ASIST), has rallied a coalition of esteemed sponsors to support this transformative event.

Slated for November 29 at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa, the championship promises to be a thrilling display of youthful ingenuity and technical prowess. This year’s event, organized in partnership with the globally renowned VEX World Robotics Championship in Dallas, USA, has attracted over 200 students from over 25 schools across the central region and beyond. These young innovators will compete for the honor of representing Uganda at the VEX World Robotics Championship next April.

Key supporters of the championship include UNDP, the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Ministry of ICT, Eaton Corporation, NEC-UPDF, JADA Coffee, Kaziire Health Products, Vex Robotics, REC-Foundation, Smart24 Television and Young Engineers Uganda. Their unwavering support will enable the event to offer a platform for students to showcase their STEM skills, fostering innovation and critical thinking among Uganda’s youth.

Expressing her gratitude, Ms. Maureen Ayebare Karamagi, CEO of Young Engineers Uganda, said, “We are grateful for the trust and confidence our sponsors have placed in us. Their support is a testament to the importance of STEM education in Uganda’s development. Together, we can inspire a brighter future for our youth.”

The African School of Innovations Science and Technology (ASIST) Ltd, founded in 2015 by journalist and entrepreneur Arinaitwe Rugyendo, aims to nurture the next generation of scientists, innovators, problem solvers, entrepreneurs, and critical thinkers. Through its flagship program, Young Engineers Uganda, ASIST has been instrumental in promoting STEM education in 25 Ugandan schools, impacting more than 3,000 children.

ASIST’s efforts have paved the way for Uganda’s participation in international competitions, such as the VEX World Robotics Championship. This annual event, held in Dallas, USA, brings together students from over 40 countries to showcase their robotics skills in problem-solving challenges. It provides a valuable platform for students to apply STEM concepts in real-world scenarios, encouraging innovation, creativity, and collaboration among participants.

As the countdown to the National STEM and Vex Robotics Education Championship begins, the excitement is palpable. The event not only highlights the talents of Uganda’s young engineers but also underscores the collective effort of sponsors and educators to enhance the country’s competitiveness in the global technology landscape.

Join us in celebrating and supporting these young innovators as they step into the spotlight, representing the future of STEM in Uganda.