More than 500 students from 21 Mozambican schools have been trained in developing projects in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) since 2024 through the STEM Africa Innovation Camp programme, funded by the ExxonMobil Foundation, it was announced on Friday (17) in Maputo.
The figures were presented by ExxonMobil Mozambique’s Community Investment Representative, Mariana Shaik, during the final stage of the STEM Africa programme, which is being implemented in Mozambique, Angola, Namibia and Nigeria.
In Mozambique, the initiative is delivered by the ExxonMobil Foundation and Junior Achievement (JA) Africa in partnership with the Osuwela Association. The programme involved students from 21 schools in the district of Marracuene, the city of Matola and Maputo.
“We are working to develop skills in the schools where we are currently operating,” said Mariana Shaik, highlighting the strong interest shown by students and the support provided to help them continue their education at university level.
She added that the company hopes to expand the initiative to other provinces.
“We hope to expand the project, but that will depend on the availability of funding,” she said.
According to Shaik, the programme has already produced 72 finalists, with four students selected each year to represent Mozambique at Africa Energy Week, the continent’s leading international platform for political dialogue, deal-making and investment promotion, held in Cape Town, South Africa.
However, she noted that one of the initiative’s main challenges is the lack of funding to implement the projects within local communities. As a result, the organisation is exploring mechanisms to support the execution of the proposals developed by participants.
“We are looking at ways to encourage the implementation of the winning projects after their participation in Africa Energy Week, so that these innovative solutions can be put into practice in communities and, we hope, improve the lives of many Mozambicans,” she added.
Armando Muthemba, representing the Ministry of Education and Culture, also emphasised the importance of the programme, noting that participants learned how to identify problems, develop ideas, build prototypes and present innovative solutions, while strengthening skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, creativity and communication.
Source: Lusa
