The impactful initiative aimed to empower 75 young girls with comprehensive training in coding, robotics, and the fundamental principles of the Internet of Things (IoT).

Selected from 15 schools in the eThekwini area, particularly focusing on historically disadvantaged communities, Robogirl hosted grade 10 and 11 students, offering them an opportunity to train and be educated in technical fields, including Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Centenary High School, Verulam Islamic School and Palmview Secondary School were announced as winners of this year’s competition.

Empowering future innovators

The programme structure entailed three days of intensive training, culminating in a competitive challenge where participating schools had two days to create and develop an innovative IoT solution.

In attendance was Dr Nevhutalu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at DUT; Professor Olugbara of DUT; Toyota SA; Old Mutual; IEC and Microsoft, who reinforced the importance of Robogirl as a sustainable socioeconomic investment.

Yugen Naidoo, General Manager of Lenovo Southern Africa, highlighted, “Lenovo’s collaboration with DUT for the Robogirl 2023 program underscored our commitment to prepare young girls for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and beyond. Our vision of ‘Smarter Technology for All’ is aimed at empowering underrepresented communities by providing access to STEM education, as well as opportunities for individuals and communities to reach their full potential.”

Constructing equitable income generation and professional development

Robogirl further addresses the gender imbalance in STEM professions and higher education in South African and beyond. By reducing this disparity, more opportunities for women are created, fostering equitable income generation, and fostering conducive, professional environments for their growth.

“Beyond coding and robotics, participants hone critical thinking and problem-solving skills through theoretical teachings and practical applications. Additionally, the program instills values of teamwork, collaboration, and shared responsibility among the learners,” added Naidoo.  “We are immensely proud of all the girls who participated in this year’s competition and wish them victory in all their aspirations.”

The winners respectively received tablets, Microsoft training, and gift bags worth R2500. One lucky student won a Cannon camera worth R24000 in the lucky draw competition.

With these rewards, the schools and individuals will be enabled greater possibilities of honing their talents for long-term educational and career success.

Themed “Access and Safety,” the day was marked to reinforce the safety for girls and young women to thrive in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and the need for safe and reliable access to the internet and digital tools. This year and every year, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and partners work together to develop solutions and ideas for lowering barriers to access and improving safety online for girls and young women.

The event held at the newly launched Microsoft facility in Lagos with young girls from Girls Senior Secondary Grammar School Obalende, Ikoyi Lagos, female tech enthusiasts as well as 30 ladies under 30 with no prior tech knowledge all in attendance.

The audience was treated to inspiring conversations, one-on-one sessions with mentors, a tour of the office facility, and an introduction to skilling pathways in technology.

On their part, the 30 ladies under 30 who attended the observance without an academic degree or career in tech left with renewed energy willing to pursue careers in tech and software engineering.

Hosted by Sefunmi Wande-Durojaye, Lead Ecosystem and Program Development at Microsoft ADC-West Africa, the observance sparked conversations in ICT for girls during the day-long event, with a keynote address delivered by Bolanle Olumekor, Knowledge Management Assistant at United Nations Information Centre Nigeria.

Participants had the opportunity to hear inspiring and insightful speeches from the speakers during the sessions. Paula Wigwe, Business Manager at Microsoft ADC-West Africa, shared a relatable story of how she got into tech even though her first degree was in Estate Management. Her story had a lot to do with her curiosity, resilience and being focused.   

Beyond the significance of internet access and safety for young women, the day was leveraged as another channel to inspire young women interested in STEM to dream and believe in a future at Microsoft like many women, they had the opportunity to meet.

Jacquelyn Ekwueme, Senior Program Manager in the Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC), and Adora Nwodo, Software Engineer in Mixed Reality, shared their experiences on ways to become a voice and remain relevant within the tech industry.

Per opportunities in skill advancement, Microsoft ADC West Africa partnered with Utiva and Skillup Africa to help the females in skilling up toward their career journey in tech.

Other notable sessions during the day included a career session anchored by Tejumade Olaniyi, Recruiter at the Microsoft ADC West Africa and an experience at the Garage led by Lydiah Karanja, Program Manager of the Garage, ADC East Africa.

The Garage session gave the participants the opportunity to try their hands on a few projects, bringing home how very accessible and fun tech can be for young women.

The award, presented on behalf of the government by Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister In-Charge, Federal Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (FMSTI), came as a challenge to young Nigerians to show interest in Science subjects through STEM.

Onu stated this during the presentation of certificates to the overall three best students that emerged champions at the Young Nigeria Scientists Presidential Award (YONSPA) on Monday in Abuja.

The Awardees are:

1st position: Maryam Olufunmilayo Ogunbayo (Pen Resource Academy) Gombe state.

2nd position: Gbolahan Azeem Ayinde (African Church Grammar School) Ogun state.

3rd position: Uchendu Mmesomachukwu Judith (UNIBEN Demonstration Secondary school) Edo state.

According to the Minister, the scholarship is up to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree level, to three secondary school students who emerged winners at this year’s Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential Award Competition (774 YONSPA). The scholarship is in any science-related discipline of their choice at any university in the country.

Dr. Onu encouraged the victorious students to continue working hard to be the best they can be especially to make Nigeria proud.

The Minister further reminded Nigerians that the country was the first to produce a Nobel laureate in literature. He further urged the students to strive to be the first Nigerian Nobel laureates in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Edet Sunday Akpan said that the Ministry will follow up on the progress of the students, especially as they have bagged a scholarship to Phd level.

He encouraged the students to be ambassadors of Nigeria especially in the areas of the development of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and used the opportunity to invite them to the 2022 edition of Science, Technology and Innovation Expo 2022, scheduled to hold between March 14th –Friday 18th this year.

In all, twenty three (23) out of the thirty six (36) states of the federation participated in the competition.