WINDHOEK, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- African nations are positioning themselves to leverage the Fourth Industrial Revolution as a "rare opportunity to leapfrog older development models," a Namibian official said in Windhoek on Friday.
Erastus Haitengela, executive director of the Namibian Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, addressed the closing ceremony of the Train-the-Trainer Workshop on 3D Printing, Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence.
The event also coincided with the launch of the African Science Clubs participating in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Science Clubs Network.
"The launch of the African network of science clubs represents an important move in supporting young people to develop curiosity, confidence, and practical skills in science and technology," he said.
Haitengela noted that around the world, science clubs are recognized as transformative spaces where learners can explore ideas, experiment, ask questions, and develop the ability to solve problems creatively.
"This new African network will allow clubs to learn from one another, share materials, undertake joint projects, access mentorship, and participate in global competitions," he said.
The gathering, attended by representatives from UNESCO, the UN, and various international organizations, directly addresses Africa's need to build technical capacity in advanced fields.
Amal Kasry, UNESCO chief of section for basic sciences, research innovation and engineering, noted that schools remain the primary anchor to science clubs, providing essential infrastructure and a member base.
According to Kasry, the initiative unlocks six pathways of opportunity for African youth, including practical skills, critical thinking, career readiness, innovation mindset, global connection, and confidence. ■