Robotics camp ends with call for more investment

With more investments, the future for robotics in Rwanda presents positive prospects, officials have said The remarks were made on Saturday during the conclusion of the robotics camp in Kigali where students from different schools showcased what they can do after three-week training in the field. The first of its kind, the camp kicked off three weeks ago bringing together at least 40 outstanding students aged between 14 years to 17 years (18 boys and 22 girls) drawn from 20 schools across the country. Organised by Bank of Kigali TecHouse, the camp took place at Lycée de Kigali in Kiyovu and was facilitated by senior students from the US-based Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Guests watch the different Robots that were made by students at the robotics camp in Kigali on Saturday. Timothy Kisambira The students have learnt among other things to connect, programme, command robot prototypes that can be taken as proposals to industries to be developed into real robots that can provide solutions for different needs in the day to day work. The robot prototypes made by the students were those that mainly work in the agricultural sector. At the closing of the camp, youngsters showcased their different projects which included prototypes designed for cultivation, irrigation, seed sorting and sowing, spraying pesticides, harvesting, fertilizer application, among others. Regis Rugemanshuro, the CEO of BK TecHouse referred to the results of the camp as “wonderful.” Students consult from each other during the camp where they made different Robots. Timothy Kisambira For him, “the concept has been proven,” and what is needed is partners with industries which want to start business in this line of developing robots. “They (the students) are about to finish secondary school and we want to put this thirst in them. If some of them can become engineers in robotics, this is where it starts from. Let them go study it, and specialize. The support we are giving them will stay there,” he added. He said that the camp mainly focused on agriculture because 70 percent of Rwandans work in the agricultural sector and a third of the GDP of Rwanda is made up of agriculture products. Obinna Ukwuani, the CEO and founder of Exposure Robotics League was in the country leading a group of instructors from MIT. He said that the work of the students “are genuine agricultural solution prototypes,” adding that the enthusiasm he saw was incredible. Arber Bakalli, another instructor from MIT said that IT and science in Rwanda has a lot of momentum and seems to be moving in the right direction as he urged the rest of students in Rwanda to work in a similar way that the students in the camp have worked. Students from Robotics academy show a robot that helps farmers to harvest. Timothy Kisambira “I think the kids have progressed in the last three weeks and I think the future of Rwanda in science in general seems really promising. I think the kids have been really excited and have learned a lot and I am hoping that it will be some sort of gateway for them to learn more about science and technology,” he said. Skye Thompson, also an instructor from MIT said that the students were really great. For her, more support for STEM education coupled with the students’ desire to pursue education even beyond what is traditionally taught in schools will be really very useful in the country. “Anytime I would try and introduce a concept, they (the students) would use that concept and ask questions until they understood it and then take it a step further,” she said. Students from Robotics academy show a robot that helps farmers to harvest. Timothy Kisambira “It also gives me a lot of hope that they will be able to continue as problem solvers in the country,” she added. Christina hill, also an instructor from MIT echoed the need of making the camp among other things to encourage robotics to take root in the country. What the students say: Gloria Akimana, a student from Nyanza Technical School said that the camp helped them to think ahead and be able to come up with things that help develop the nation. Shammah Irakoze, a student from Lycee de Kigali believes that with enough training, she can be able to work on a real robot within a year. Fred Nkurunziza, from Ecole St. Andre expressed enthusiasm of being able to come up with bigger things with more time and support since they have been able to produce good work within a short period of training and work. Fabrice Shema, 17, another student from Nyanza advised other students to “to feel that they are able.” editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Robotics camp ends with call for more investment