In the world of robotics, where innovation knows no bounds, there are young minds like Saahus Callychurn who are willing to do their best to succeed in the field. In this article, he shares his remarkable journey and the excitement that comes with representing his nation at FIRST Global 2023.

At the age of 16, Saahus, a high school student at Modern College in Flacq, Mauritius, is preparing to embark on a remarkable journey – FIRST Global 2023. Saahus’s story is one of passion, dedication, and the relentless pursuit of innovation in the world of robotics.

“Being chosen to participate in FIRST Global 2023 and representing my country on a global stage is exciting and makes me proud”, said Saahus. “Even though it comes with a great sense of responsibility, seeing my teammates giving their all to create our robot made me embrace this opportunity as a chance to become a better version of myself”, he added.

“Robots have always been a big passion of mine. It is like a burning curiosity that never goes out. I have always been amazed by the incredible robotics inventions. It all started with Robotropolis – that is what really got me interested in this field. However, my interest in robotics goes way back to my childhood when I used to watch documentaries about how robots are made just to understand them better. And this love got even stronger by watching films like Transformers. Those films captured my imagination, carrying that fascination with me ever since”, mentioned Saahus.

“YUVA allowed me to turn my passion into practice. With the same enthusiasm I had when I was a child, I am actively contributing to my personal growth and that of my team. As a teenager who loves robotics films, during the preparation for FIRST Global 2023, I helped my teammates with new ideas and by taking initiatives, aiming at achieving successful outcomes together”, he added.

FIRST Global 2023 is an international robotics competition that brings together the brightest high-school students in the field of robotics from all over the world, aiming to empower them through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. The competition fosters cross-cultural communication, cooperation, and problem-solving skills, empowering students to collectively tackle global challenges and come up with innovative solutions. 

FIRST Global 2023 is approaching, and Saahus is enthusiastic about participating and working together with his teammates, all with the shared aim of achieving outstanding results at the competition. When asked about his aspirations for the future, Saahus reiterated his dedication to the world of robotics and technology. “I dream of working alongside robots, ensuring that their advanced artificial intelligence (AI) remains under human control to prevent any potential misuse”, Saahus explained.

But Saahus’s dreams extend far beyond this. He envisions a future where robots and humans coexist harmoniously, with robots playing an integral role in shaping our society. A society where humans take advantage of technological advances to address global challenges, guaranteeing a better quality of life for all.

We wish the very best of luck to Saahus and the entire team. May your hard work and dedication lead to great success in FIRST Global 2023 and beyond. Go Team Mauritius!

Nicole Marchetti, MA International Relations - Communications Officer (YUVA STEM Education Projects)