In the drive to promote technopreneur skills in High school students, New Horizons Nigeria in partnership with Baptist Mission Schools has held a Coding and Robotics Challenge for students.
The competition which started in February saw the grand finale held on the 24th of March 2022 at Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State. During this event, students worked in teams to design their robot and projects with the help of a mentor who trained them on a regular basis.
Thereafter, each team submitted a design, business plan, and video pitch of their projects. The competition started with 3,782 students at the school levels, 117 students qualified for the Zonal levels while 47 students qualified for the finals.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Tim Akano, MD/CEO New Horizons said, “The future of Nigeria lies in the expertise with the fourth industrial technologies which include coding, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, IoT, Blockchain, Cloud security, and Cyber security.
“It’s on that basis New Horizons Nigeria partnered with Baptist Mission school to develop the yearly coding and Robotics competition as the first phase for comprehensive fourth industrial competition amongst students which will include other mission schools like Redeemers, Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, and Deeper life. We achieve all of this with our strategic partnership with international vendors like EC-Council, PMI, ISAACA, Oracle.”
Eralier on, the Director of Baptist Mission Schools, Dr. Tide Olalere, said “We are poised to ensure our children are not left behind in the 21st century ICT education.”
He disclosed that qualified schools were judged based on App prototype, Presentation slide, Business plan words for the code/robot description, Creativity, Design, Potential Usefulness, Technical Skill, and Presentation. Winners were awarded cash prizes at every stage of the competition and a certificate of participation.
In attendance at the finals was the Vice-Chancellor of Bowen University, Prof. Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole (host); Education Management Board Chairman, Prof. Oyesoji Aremu; Director Baptist Mission Schools, Dr. Tide Olalere; Head, Quality Assurance and Inspectorate, Dn H.O. Alamu; Head, Finace, Dns. Bayonle Bamidele; Head, Human Resources, Rev. Mrs. B.A. Ladoba; Head, Audit, Pastor Innocent Josiah; Head, ICT, Dr. Kayode Oladapo; Chief Accountant, Mr. M.A.O. Adeojo; Mrs. T. Amune, ZEA, New Horizons Nigeria represented by Oluseyi Fakoya, General Manager Schools.