President Wavel Ramkalawan on Wednesday received the Seychelles Robotics Team for a courtesy call ahead of their participation in this year’s FIRST Global Challenge, an international robotics competition to be held in Panama.
The meeting began with introductory remarks by the Principal Secretary for Education, Mr. John Lesperance, followed by an address from the Team Captain, Mr. Gabriel Suzette, who also introduced the student members. The delegation presented prototypes of their robots and offered insights into their respective roles within the team, as well as their experiences and preparations.
During the interaction, the President held discussions with the students, commending them for their dedication and innovation. He also participated in the filming of a special video message of support to be shared on social media as part of the competition’s outreach activities. In a symbolic gesture, President Ramkalawan officially handed over the competition kit to the team as well as personal flag pins for each member.
In his remarks, President Ramkalawan encouraged the team, stating:
“You represent the innovative and resilient spirit of Seychelles. Through your creativity, teamwork, and determination, you are carrying our nation’s flag into a global arena of technology and discovery. I am very impressed by your presentations and passion for your project. No matter the outcome, you have already made Seychelles proud by daring to dream and working hard to make that dream a reality. Go forward with confidence, and know that your entire nation is behind you.”
The President wished the team every success in their upcoming challenge.
The Seychelles National Robotics Team will proudly represent Seychelles in the annual FIRST Global Challenge — an Olympics-style international robotics competition that aims to inspire leadership, innovation, and collaboration in science and technology among youth worldwide. The challenge brings together students from over 190 countries to solve pressing global issues through STEM, while fostering cultural exchange and unity.
Seychelles has been participating in the FIRST Global Challenge since 2017, and over the years, the team has grown in skill, confidence, and ambition. Previous teams have proudly raised the Seychelles flag on international platforms — most recently in Greece, where the team achieved one of its best performances to date, ranking 20th out of 180 countries. This year, the competition in Panama provides yet another opportunity to build on that success.
Beyond the main competition, the team is also engaged in additional challenges under this year’s theme, Eco-Equilibrium, which emphasizes biodiversity and the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems. These include research projects, outreach activities, innovation-driven initiatives such as the Eco-Equilibrium New Technology Experience, and Social Media Challenges highlighting the team’s growth, experiences, and contributions locally.
Speaking to the President on behalf of the team, Captain Gabriel Suzette said:
“We are honoured to be here today at State House to share our journey with you, showcase our robot project and, as part of our Social Media Challenge, to respectfully seek your official endorsement and support as we prepare to carry the Seychelles flag proudly onto the global stage.”
Also present for the meeting were Vice-President Mr. Ahmed Afif, the Minister for Education Dr. Justin Valentin, senior officials from the Ministry of Education, and the proud parents of the student participants.