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Sikhulekelani Moyo
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INVESTING in science and technology guarantees economic success as it brings in solutions to challenges being faced by the nation and the whole world, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education director for Bulawayo Province Mr Benard Mazambani has said.
Bulawayo is hosting a four-day World Robotic Olympiad (WRO), an international competition that brings in young people from across the world to come up with robotic solutions to a challenge that they will be given.

Bulawayo PED Mr Bernard Mazambane

This year’s event runs under the theme: “Connecting the World” and was organised by Girls in STEM TRUST in partnership with Irish Aid, Telco, and Learners Factory.

Participants aged between 10 to 17 years old have been drawn from different schools in Bulawayo with mentors from local institutions including the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) and the Oasis Business Hub.

Mr Mazambani said science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education has great potential in the future education and the Government is making significant efforts to have education policies that support STEM studies for its students.

He said the WRO initiative is a step towards equipping graduates with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the modern world and adopt 21st-century technologies that have proven to be a catalyst for home-grown solutions to various community challenges.

“The beauty of investing in science and technology is that it guarantees economic success,” said Mr Mazambani.
“We’re going to need the brain power of the next generation to fix the mistakes of the past. And we must ensure that students from all backgrounds are given the chance to contribute.

“Diversity in science and technology leads to diversity in solutions, and when these solutions emerge, we need to celebrate them as a nation and provide a conducive environment for our future technology experts to do what their predecessors did, that is to believe in science and technology, to use science and technology and to continue to invest in science and technology.”

In an interview during the event, Girls in STEM Trust founder and Director, Ms Victoria Nxumalo said it is important for girls as well as boys to take up these technologies.

“If we look at the 4th industrial revolution, it is very important for young women and girls as well as boys to also be taking up these technologies.
“So, the WRO is one way in which we are able to do that,” she said. — @SikhulekelaniM1.