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and inspire youths towards science, engineering and technology.
Robotics is a branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation and application of robots and computer systems.
The national competition targets pupils between nine and 16 years old.
The competition is designed to give youths a futuristic view of engineering and technology fields as a career option.
HIT Vice Chancellor Engineer Quinton Kanhukamwe officially launched the inaugural programme in Masvingo province on Saturday.
This programme would run on the theme; “Mining and Safety of Workers”, will be rolled out in the other nine provinces in Zimbabwe.
Eng Kanhukamwe said the programme is a brainchild of the later Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Dr Stan Mudenge.
It is aimed at nudging young people to develop a keen interest in science subjects.
Science subjects are pre-requisite for degree programmes in science, engineering and technology.
“Zimbabwe has manufacturing industries that rely much on imported machinery and components.”
He said the programme would expose youths to science, engineering and technology programmes.
Eng Kanhukamwe said his institution’s mandate was technology development, transfer, incubation and commercialisation for rapid national industrialisation.
“In the current set up, for every 10 students only two are studying science while the remainder are study either arts or commercials.
“In this globalised world, knowledge generation in science and technology is determining losers and winners.”
Eng Kanhukamwe said this year’s competition would look at sustainable ways of improving mining.
Eight teams from Kushinga Secondary, Gundura, Gokomere, Mutendi, Makomba and Mazamba High Schools participated in the competition held at Masvingo Teachers College.
The teams demonstrated their ability to design and build an automated robot out of the provided kits.
The teams were tasked to programme the robot to perform various tasks.
The robot had to navigate a maze and find a particular coloured wall symbolising precious minerals as well as to rescue trapped miners.
Online Reporter