ExxonMobil and Osuwela provide robotics training

• 260 students and 40 teachers from 18 schools received robotics training
• Program ongoing in Maputo, Gaza and Inhambane

Maputo, Mozambique – ExxonMobil Moçambique, Limitada in partnership with Osuwela held the third annual final Robotics championship in Maputo. The Championship tests the skills of the 18 participating schools across Maputo, Gaza and Inhambane.

The competition is the final stage of an integrated Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) program, designed to develop problem solving and social skills. To date it has trained 260 students and 40 teachers across the southern provinces of Mozambique. The program involves training the teachers and teaching the students to assemble and program the robots to execute tasks, incorporating the fields of critical thinking and problems solving, as well as physics and math.

This year’s regional competition included the 2022 champions, Laulane high school and the other 11 schools that competed in 2022. Newcomers to the 2023 STEM program are high schools of Joaquim Chissano, Inhamissa and Chongoene from Gaza Province and 25 de Junho, 28 de Janeiro and Malovocua from Inhambane Province.

“The future of Mozambique lies in the hands of these capable and talented young individuals, and we are so proud to support their development.” said Arne Gibbs, General Manager for ExxonMobil Mocambique, Limitada. “STEM education is a large part of ExxonMobil’s community strategy and we look to provide these types of initiatives to more students in Mozambique.”

The winners, Chogoene High School from Gaza, will go on to compete in the international robotics competition held in Dallas, Texas in the United States of America where they will be exposed to higher level of rigorous training and competition.

“It is an honor to witness the growth and expansion of this program, year on year.”, affirmed Zeferino Martins, president of Osuwela. “We will continue to identify growth opportunities to embrace more students and equip the future generation of leaders with the skills required to succeed”.

###

About ExxonMobil

ExxonMobil, is one of the largest publicly traded international oil and Gas Company, uses technology and innovation to help meet the world’s growing energy needs. In Mozambique, ExxonMobil holds a 25 percent indirect interest in Area 4 and will lead the construction and operation of future natural gas liquefaction facilities.

Please visit: www.exxonmobil.co.mz or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ExxonMobilMocambique

About Osuwela

OSUWELA means “knowledge” in Makua.

OSUWELA is a Mozambican NGO dedicated to promoting development through Science. It works in close collaboration with the Government and civil society, through projects to enhance the STEM areas – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics –, knowledge transfer and multiplying scientific knowledge for the school audience and the community. OSUWELA's objective is to strengthen Science Education, both formal and non-formal, so that students - and the population in general - can look at Science in an interesting and important way, as well as apply scientific knowledge in everyday life and feel be able to follow the debate on scientific matters happening these days.

OSUWELA is aware of the importance of Women in Science, whose presence is less and less visible in Mozambique. To contribute to solving these problems, we develop activities that promote women's interest in Science, experimentation and the exploration of technology. The aim is to have more women in STEM courses and in jobs in science and engineering.