Namibian youth set to shine on global programming stage

Last year, the Genius Robotics Club (GRC) put Namibia on the global technology map, achieving an impressive 42nd position globally, 22nd place overall, and third in Africa at last year's First Global Challenge, held in Athens, Greece.Building on this success, GRC has announced plans to send another team of six learners from Platonic, Admoveo, Sunshine Private College, Windhoek High School, and Rosewood Academy to represent Namibia at the 2025 First Global Challenge in Panama, Central America, from 25 October to 2 November.In light of this, the organisation is actively seeking sponsorships and community support to ensure the next group of young innovators can continue to make Namibia proud.The First Global Challenge programme was launched with the aim of empowering students with hands-on skills in programming, electronics and engineering.Last year’s Namibian team of five talented students showcased their innovation, teamwork and engineering prowess among over 190 participating countries. The competition not only tested the learners’ robotics and programming skills but also emphasised global collaboration and problem-solving in addressing real-world challenges.Team Namibia’s efforts were further recognised when they received the International Social Media Award for their outstanding outreach and online engagement throughout the event.Beyond the competition, the experience offered rich cultural exchanges, networking opportunities with international peers, and exposure to cutting-edge technological advancements.“Our students did not just compete; they learned, connected and grew as future STEM leaders,” said the GRC team mentors, expressing gratitude to sponsors and supporters who made the trip possible.This year’s team consists of Laricia Lawrence (Admoveo Academy), Nikita Willibard and Cody Greeves (Platonic Academy), Ngumbiro Hijarunguru (Sunshine Private College), Shenelle Brown (Windhoek High School) and Barack Obama (Rosewood Academy.Local impactIn addition to international competitions, GRC continues to expand its impact locally. Recently, it launched the Robotics in Schools programme at All Nations Christian School, empowering students through hands-on learning in electronics, coding and engineering. The club also partnered with the InnerGirl Foundation to promote STEM education and support girls in underprivileged communities, combining technology with social impact.The GRC mentors extend their appreciation to the sponsors who made their initiatives possible. Their support has played a vital role in empowering young innovators and advancing STEM education in Namibia. The GRC mentors specifically wish to thank Windhoek Consulting Engineers (WCE), Salt Essential IT, Zutari, and the Namibia Electronic Sports Association (NESA) for their invaluable contributions. Their partnership and commitment continue to inspire the next generation of leaders in science, technology, engineering, and innovation.Through its initiatives, the Genius Robotics Club is proving that, with the right support, Namibian youth can lead innovation and change on both local and global fronts.

Namibian youth set to shine on global programming stage

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Namibian Sun 2025-10-16

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Namibian youth set to shine on global programming stage

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Namibian Sun 2025-10-16

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