On Tuesday, 21 November 2023, YUVA Mauritius was honoured to host Mr Daniel Haboucha, Second Secretary of Political and Economic Affairs at the High Commission of Canada in South Africa, at the YUVA Training Room in Port Louis.
The event marked another significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between YUVA and Canada under the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) programme. The partnership focuses on implementing a 7-month STEM education project in Mauritius to empower young girls from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.
The ongoing collaboration represents a shared commitment to promoting education, gender equality, and socio-economic empowerment. The project aspires to bridge gaps, break barriers, and provide young girls with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving world by focusing on STEM education.
At the event, Dr Krishna Athal, YUVA Executive Director took the opportunity to present the advancements made in both the STEM curriculum and communication strategy. Mr Haboucha gained valuable insights into the progress achieved, emphasising the organisation’s commitment to fostering positive changes in the education sector, specifically focusing on empowering young girls in Mauritius.
Presentation of the STEM Curriculum
YUVA’s STEM curriculum was presented to Mr Haboucha by YUVA STEM Trainers, Devesh Takoor and Luckkana Ghaneswarsing. The curriculum is structured into three levels, each tailored to the age groups of the participating girls.
- Level 1: This introductory level provides a foundational understanding of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). It covers basic STEM concepts and principles, utilising interactive workshops and projects to expose participants to various STEM disciplines. The emphasis is on developing analytical and problem-solving skills through engaging challenges.
- Level 2: Building on the foundation laid in Level 1, this stage dives deeper into robotics assembly and programming. It allows students to explore specific STEM fields based on their interests. Participants undertake long-term projects necessitating research, design, and implementation, fostering creativity and innovation. Notably, this level stands out for its integration of technology to address complex issues.
- Level 3: The advanced level, Level 3, concentrates on robotics assembly, programming, and strategy. It tailors specialised courses to match students’ interests and align with their chosen career paths. The curriculum at this level is grounded in real-world applications, requiring students to integrate knowledge from various STEM fields to solve tangible challenges. This approach ensures a practical understanding of STEM concepts and their application in addressing real-world issues.
Presentation of the STEM Communication Strategy
Under the leadership of Nicole Marchetti, YUVA Communications Officer, YUVA has strategically developed its STEM communication strategy, recognising effective communication’s pivotal role in driving transformative change. This strategy revolves around three key pillars: Sensitisation, Advocacy, and Lobbying, each playing a crucial role in promoting STEM education.
- Sensitisation – It is the first crucial step in YUVA’s strategy. Beyond merely conveying information, it dispels myths and misconceptions surrounding STEM education. By fostering a detailed understanding of the subject matter, YUVA strives to create a supportive environment where individuals can grasp the significance of STEM in shaping the future.
- Advocacy – It forms the second pillar and is instrumental in fostering inclusivity. YUVA believes that for STEM education to thrive genuinely, it must be accessible to all, irrespective of gender, socio-economic status, or other demographic factors. Advocacy initiatives work towards creating an inclusive space where everyone can actively participate and benefit from the transformative power of STEM.
- Lobbying – It embodies YUVA’s commitment to effecting broader, systemic changes. It goes beyond individual perceptions and aims to reshape the structural landscape of STEM education in Mauritius. By advocating for policy changes and systemic reforms, YUVA seeks to eliminate barriers that hinder the widespread adoption of STEM education. This involves engaging with stakeholders at various levels, including governmental bodies and educational institutions.
Combined, these three pillars form a comprehensive strategy beyond communication for information dissemination. They work harmoniously to raise awareness, break down barriers, and instigate a transformative shift in how STEM education is perceived and embraced within the Mauritian community.
Execution of the STEM Communication Strategy
In executing its strategy, YUVA leverages the power of social media platforms, reframing them from mere channels of information dissemination to potent tools for building understanding, fostering a supportive community, and advocating substantive change.
YUVA’s multifaceted effort includes developing informative STEM articles, generating engaging “Did You Know” posts, and actively participating in celebrations of international days dedicated to STEM education.
A pivotal element of the strategy involves aligning content with specific days significant in the STEM education calendar. This strategic synchronisation ensures that the messaging is timely and resonates effectively with the audience. Whether presenting informative articles or celebratory posts, each piece is thoughtfully designed to enhance the clarity and effectiveness of communicating YUVA’s mission.
Identifying Gaps and Taking Action
As a result of its dedicated efforts in sensitising and advocating for STEM education, YUVA has discerned significant gaps in the foundational structure of STEM education in Mauritius. These gaps, identified through carefully examining the educational landscape, have prompted YUVA to take proactive steps to address the issues.
In response to this recognition, YUVA is developing its comprehensive STEM education master plan. This plan is intended for presentation to policymakers and the Mauritian government, aiming to advocate for systemic changes that will eliminate obstacles hindering STEM education in the country.
The goal is to influence policies and initiatives that create an environment favourable to the widespread adoption and success of STEM education across different levels of the education system. YUVA’s commitment lies in actively working towards comprehensive solutions for improving STEM education in Mauritius.
The YUVA-CFLI initiative is pivotal in raising awareness of STEM education in Mauritius. This collaborative effort signifies a crucial step towards building positive change in the community. The aim is for this ongoing collaboration to endure in the long run, continuing to empower individuals and foster a culture of STEM education.
YUVA sincerely thanks Mr Haboucha for his invaluable presence and thoughtful insights during the event. His contributions have been instrumental in shaping the direction of the initiative. YUVA expresses its appreciation and looks forward to having Mr Haboucha back soon, as the organisation remains committed to making lasting and meaningful impacts in the field of STEM education in Mauritius.
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