Girl Up Namibia, a youth empowerment organisation, successfully hosted a transformative Stem event that brought together more than 60 high school and university students from across Windhoek.
The event, which was hosted in partnership with the SOS Children’s Villages, was held on 12 Saturday at the Namibia University of Technology to ignite a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (Stem) among young minds.
The event, themed ‘Namibian Stem Stars: Igniting Innovation and Empowering Youth’, provided an interactive platform for students to engage with Stem luminaries, participate in hands-on activities and explore the boundless opportunities within Stem fields.
“We are thrilled to see such a remarkable turnout of young individuals eager to embrace the world of Stem,” said one of the organisers, Fabianus Ihemba. “This event exemplified our commitment to nurturing curiosity, fostering creativity and empowering the next generation of Stem leaders.”
Throughout the day, attendees could interact with accomplished speakers who shared their personal journeys and insights in various Stem disciplines. The event was enriched with practical workshops, empowering discussions and captivating demonstrations, providing a holistic experience for the participants from Minds In Action, Hakoilonga Hamalwa and Moses Kanalelo and Ailly Hamukwaya.
The event’s impact reverberated in the hearts of both students and speakers, fostering an environment where dreams and aspirations found wings to soar.
Paloma Shiimi, a 17-year-old pupil from Hage Geingob High School, said, “I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity. It was both enlightening and an absolute privilege to be part of this event. The experience has not only been informative but has also inspired me to seriously consider Stem fields as a potential career option.”
The speakers included Jacobine Amutenya (technologist), Maria Lisa Immanuel (trade and agriculture expert), Dr Shafa Hamutenya (medical doctor), Eva Panda Beukes (scientist).
Amutenya highlighted that “women don’t take up spaces because of lack of confidence. So we should instil in our young ones a character of confidence and boldness”.
Encouraging the pupils to embrace their unique journeys in Stem, Hamutenya offered his inspiring perspective. “At times, you need to climb the steps to reach the summit. I had to start with nursing and work my way up before entering the field of medicine,” he said.
The success of this event reflects the dedication of Girl Up Namibia supported by High-Tech Transfer Plaza Select, National Commission on Research, Science and Technology and Coca Cola Namibia to create a platform that not only imparts knowledge, but also encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
“This event is a stepping stone towards our mission of advocating Stem access for all. Girl Up Namibia is committed to taking these bootcamps across the country, rallying for support from non-governmental organisations and corporates,” said Ihemba.
