When we watch science fiction movies and see people go to space i space rockets, visit the moon and see how scientists are working on future technologies to solve some of humanity’s biggest challenges, not much of Africa is portrayed.
However, the DStv Eutelsat Star Awards, a unique pan-African competition that encourages young minds to explore innovative thinking in science and space technology has shown the huge interest in space technology in the continent.
Space technology is technology developed by space science or the aerospace industry for use in spaceflight, satellites, or space exploration. Space technology includes spacecraft, satellites, space stations and support infrastructure, equipment and procedures.
Recently, Multichoice Africa, a video entertainment company and Eutelsat, one of the world’s leading and most experienced operators of communications satellites, organised the sixth edition of the DSTV Eutelsat star awards to reward African learners aged 14 to 19 with creative interpretations and understanding of science and technology.
The awards which attracted over 1000 entries from students in 20 African countries who were inspired by the topic of the essay category, encouraging them to envision the role played by satellite technology in the Africa of the future.
Leoul Mesfin from Ethiopia emerged winner in the essay category. His entry particularly struck the judges as it considered continental and country specific needs and closely aligned to the topic. Mesfin won a trip to Paris and onwards to a launch site to witness a rocket blast into space to place a satellite into orbit. The runner-up in the essay category was Davids Bwana from Tanzania who won a trip for two to visit MultiChoice facilities and the South African National Space Agency near Johannesburg.
Interestingly, Emmanuel Ochenjele from Nigeria won in the poster category as he depicted constellation of diverse satellites all contributing towards the advancement of solutions to challenges such as global warming, conservation of biodiversity, as well as stable energy supply.
Ochenjele who came out smiling at the awards ceremony in Lagos recently will visit Eutelsat in Paris to understand how satellites are operated, as well as a satellite factory.
Aobakwe Letamo from Botswana was the runner up in the same category. The four winning schools attended by the overall award winners and runners-up were also rewarded with a DStv installation, including dish, TV set, PVR decoder and free access to the DStv Education Bouquet.
Speaking at the event, Claudie Haigneré, Europe’s first female astronaut and now special advisor to the Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA), who chaired the jury of the awards for the first time said; “Taking part in the DStv Eutelsat Star Awards for the first time has been quite simply a mind-changing experience, especially as this year’s topic was particularly challenging.
The visionary ideas on Africa’s future satellite landscape developed in essays and posters underscore how Africa’s youth expect technology to drive positive change for their continent. The Jury engaged in intense discussions to award the most realistic and creative proposals that deserve to stand out on the African stage. Our congratulations go to all the finalists for their work and to the winners for their brilliant ideas,” Haigneré added.
She was assisted in her duty by a panel of international skilled industry experts: Ronke Bello, CEO at Innovative Technology Literacy Services Ltd (Nigeria), Elizabeth Ohene, journalist and former Minister of State to the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports (Ghana), Prof. Stephen Simukanga, Former University of Zambia Chancellor and now Director General of the Higher Education Authority, Jenerali Ulimwengu, well known writer, columnist and lawyer (Tanzania).
The winners were announced in the presence of Sunny Echono, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications Technology who represented Adebayo Shittu, Minister of Communication Technology.
According to Echono, this sixth edition shows sustained interest from African youths, adding fresh impetus to the mission shared by MultiChoice and Eutelsat to encourage young minds to positively change their world via innovative thinking in science and technology. This can be attested to by the number of Ministries, Departments and Agencies present at this event.”
The next edition of the competition will open for entries later this year.
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