Durban University of Technology trains 75 young girls in robotics and coding
The Department of Information Technology at the Durban University of Technology is training 75 young girls on coding, robotics and the concepts of Internet of Things.
A TOTAL of 75 girls from selected schools in the eThekwini region are currently undergoing training on coding, robotics and the concepts of the Internet of Things (IoT) at the Durban University of Technology (DUT). They are part of the RoboGirl 2023 programme which is hosted by the Department of Information Technology at DUT, in partnership with Lenovo and Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM).
The exciting programme commenced on Monday, December 4 at the DUT Ritson Campus and is expected to end on Saturday, December 9.
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The RoboGirl 2023 programme consists of 75 girls who are in Grade 10 and Grade 11, who come from 15 selected schools that are mostly located in historically disadvantaged communities.
According to the project leader and senior Information Technology lecturer at DUT, Ebrahim Asmal, the girls are currently undergoing three days of intensive training which will culminate in a competition between schools where the girls will be given two days to design and develop an IoT solution.
The projects will be judged by a panel of adjudicators on Saturday, December 9. The winners will be announced at the RoboGirl 2023 Gala Dinner which is taking place at the Elangeni Hotel in Durban on Saturday evening.
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A Grade 11 pupil at Vukuzakhe High School at Umlazi, Ntandoyenkosi Mbhele (16), shared her excitement about joining the programme. As much as she was nervous about participating for the first time in the programme, she was confident that her team would do well in the competition since their school had already been taught the basics of coding.
“I am looking forward to interacting with the other remarkable girls from other schools, learning new skills and making friends. I hope I will be able to take what I learn and pass it on to other girls from my township. I was also fascinated by seeing the beautiful buildings of DUT, and I also found the lecturers very welcoming. I do see myself coming back to study at DUT in the future,” said Mbhele.
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