PORT LOUIS, 9 OCTOBER – Mauritius will be proudly represented on the international stage by a team of talented young innovators at the FIRST Global Challenge 2025 in Panama City, Panama. Organised under the guidance of YUVA, a leading youth development organisation, this team of students exemplifies the island’s growing commitment to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, as well as its ability to nurture creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills among young people.

The upcoming challenge offers an exceptional platform for these students to showcase their skills, compete with peers from around the world, and gain invaluable experience in robotics and STEM innovation.

About the Team

The Mauritian Robotics Team brings together bright students from multiple schools, each contributing unique expertise to the creation, assembly, and programming of their competition robot. Their collaboration, creativity, and determination highlight the best of Mauritian youth talent in STEM.

Team Members and Roles:

• Anne Maëlys Keila Coiffic, 18 – Loreto College Quatre Bornes (Science: Computer Science, Chemistry, Biology, French, General Paper)
  • Role: Main Assembler
  • Contribution: Maëlys leads the assembly of the robot, meticulously integrating mechanical components to ensure that the robot functions reliably. Her work requires attention to detail, precision, and collaboration with the programmers to ensure seamless operation.
• Radheshwaree Aashi Agundhooa, 18 – GMD Atchia State College (English & French Literature, Sociology, Business)
  • Role: Programmer
  • Contribution: Aashi is responsible for writing, testing, and refining the code that controls the robot. She ensures the robot responds accurately to commands, completes tasks efficiently, and can adapt to unexpected challenges during the competition.
• Mulloo Muhammad Ali Hashmi, 16 – Labourdonnais College (Accounts, Computer Science, Travel & Tourism, Islamic Studies)
  • Role: Assembler
  • Contribution: Hashmi works alongside Maëlys to assemble and integrate the robot’s components. His role emphasises teamwork, technical problem-solving, and attention to detail, ensuring the mechanical system works as intended.
• Shreya Khevna Lakshmi Ramlowat, 17 – Mahatma Gandhi Secondary School, Solferino
  • Role: Programmer
  • Contribution: Shreya designs the robot’s movements, sensor responses, and autonomous functions. She collaborates with the assemblers to integrate software and hardware systems, troubleshoot issues, and optimise performance, bringing the robot to life on the field.
• Navish Redini, 16 – GMD Atchia State College (Science)
  • Role: Team Leader and Strategist
  • Contribution: Navish provides leadership and direction, guiding the team through planning, strategy, and day-to-day coordination. He develops competition strategies, motivates team members, and ensures the team is well-prepared for every challenge.
• Sohail Jugbandhan, 18 – Student Team Mentor
• Jomeer Sajida Bibi Zahira, 18 – Student Team Mentor

Travelling to Panama

The following team members will compete in Panama:

1. Anne Maëlys Keila Coiffic
2. Radheshwaree Aashi Agundhooa
3. Mulloo Muhammad Ali Hashmi
4. Shreya Khevna Lakshmi Ramlowat
5. Navish Redini

They will be accompanied by two mentors who will provide guidance, technical support, and administrative oversight:

• Devesh Takoor, 24 – Project Officer at YUVA (Team Mentor)
  • Role: Training the students in all aspects of robotics, providing guidance during preparation, and supporting their performance at the competition.
• Ghaneswarsing Luckkana, 35 – Senior Front-End Developer & Web Team Manager at Mediatiz Ltd (Team Mentor)
  • Role: Administrative support, mentorship, and assisting with team coordination to ensure a smooth competition experience.

Not travelling to Panama:

• Sohail Jugbandhan
• Jomeer Sajida Bibi Zahira

While these members will remain in Mauritius, their contributions during preparation, testing, and strategy development were vital to the team’s success.

About the FIRST Global Challenge

The FIRST Global Challenge is an international robotics competition that brings together youth from over 190 countries to tackle complex global problems using science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Each year, the challenge presents teams with a unique game inspired by pressing real-world issues such as renewable energy, water conservation, sustainable cities, or climate action.

Teams are required to design, build, and program robots that can perform specific tasks related to the challenge. This involves strategic thinking, coding, engineering, teamwork, and creativity. Participants also have opportunities to engage in cross-cultural collaboration, exchange knowledge, and learn from peers worldwide.

The Mauritian team will spend approximately one week in Panama competing, learning, and exchanging ideas with other students. They will apply the skills they have honed through months of preparation, demonstrating their ability to integrate engineering, programming, and teamwork to complete complex tasks efficiently. Beyond the competition, this experience will inspire long-term engagement with STEM and leadership development.

STEM and Robotics in Mauritius

Robotics is gaining significant recognition in Mauritius as a tool to develop problem-solving skills, creativity, and innovation among young learners. Through programs like the YUVA Robotics Programme, students gain hands-on experience in design, coding, and engineering. Competitions like the FIRST Global Challenge provide a platform for young Mauritians to showcase their abilities, gain international exposure, and inspire others in their communities to pursue STEM education.

The preparation of the Mauritian team involved extensive training, collaboration, and practice. Students not only learned technical skills but also developed communication, teamwork, and critical thinking abilities that will benefit them beyond the competition.

About YUVA

YUVA is a youth-led non-governmental organisation in Mauritius dedicated to empowering young people and fostering civic engagement. YUVA works across multiple areas, including education, health, human rights, and sustainable development.

The YUVA Robotics Programme specifically supports the development of STEM skills, creativity, and global collaboration. Through mentorship, training, and international exposure, YUVA encourages students to become future leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers. Participation in the FIRST Global Challenge demonstrates YUVA’s commitment to nurturing talent and providing Mauritian youth with opportunities to compete on the world stage.

Contact

For additional information, interviews, or media inquiries, please contact:

Devesh Takoor
Communications Officer

Email: yuvamauritius@gmail.com
Mobile: 5251 2721

Tereza Röslerová – Communications Officer