MAURITIUS HAS MADE ITS MARK ON THE WORLD STAGE!

From a small island in the Indian Ocean to the STEM Racing World Finals in Singapore, Mauritius has made history — and this is only the beginning!

These achievements reflect the exceptional talent, creativity, determination and hard work of our young Mauritian students, who have proudly represented Mauritius and opened new doors for Africa on the international STEM stage.

Mauritius. Africa. The World. This is only the beginning!

A JOURNEY THAT BEGAN MORE THAN 3 YEARS AGO

As François Mark, leading STEM Racing Mauritius as its In-Country Coordinator (ICC), I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together.

This journey began more than two years ago when, through Géraldine Secondis, I was introduced to Ludovic Peze from Motors Formula Team (MFT), who was then an ambassador for F1 in Schools – France. Our initial discussions centred on one simple but ambitious question: How could we bring this global STEM challenge to Mauritius and create new opportunities for our young people?

I took on the responsibility of bringing this vision to life by developing and implementing STEM Racing in Mauritius, with the invaluable support of Frédérique Trouvé Roger, Head of Impact and Development at STEM Racing HQ, formerly known as F1 in Schools.

We were also fortunate to bring Jenson Galvin from Australia on board to provide guidance and support to our teams throughout their preparation for the World Finals.

Today, seeing Mauritius recognised on the international stage and becoming the first African country to participate in the STEM Racing World Finals fills us with immense pride. What began as an ambitious idea has grown into a national initiative, giving our young people the opportunity to demonstrate their talent, creativity and engineering capabilities alongside teams from around the world.

However, this achievement goes beyond Mauritius. It represents an important milestone for Africa and a foundation upon which we can build a stronger continental STEM Racing community. Our ambition is to help other African countries establish their own programmes, prepare their teams and create opportunities for more young Africans to participate in future World Finals.

We started with a vision for Mauritius. Today, we see an opportunity for Africa.

THE NEXT CHAPTER OF STEM RACING MAURITIUS

At STEM Racing Mauritius, we believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to discover their potential, develop their talents and build a future they can be proud of.

STEM Racing is more than a competition. It is an inclusive, hands-on learning programme that brings together science, technology, engineering, mathematics, creativity, communication, teamwork and entrepreneurship. It creates opportunities for students with different abilities, interests, backgrounds and learning styles to discover strengths that traditional education pathways may not always recognise or nurture.

Not every student succeeds in a traditional classroom, but every student deserves the opportunity to succeed. Through STEM Racing, young people who may struggle with conventional academic approaches can discover new ways to learn, express their creativity, solve real-world problems and build confidence in their abilities. Our ambition is to make STEM accessible to a broader and more diverse range of young people, regardless of their academic profile or background.

We have listened carefully to the challenges and feedback shared by participants during the preparation for our National Finals. We believe every student’s experience should help us build a stronger, more inclusive and more effective programme, where learning, personal development and teamwork are just as important as competition.

We will announce the new date for the National Finals in the coming days. Registration will also reopen for a limited period, giving additional teams the opportunity to join this challenge and potentially work towards representing Mauritius at the 2027 STEM Racing World Finals.

Registration Form for the National Finals (Reopening): https://forms.gle/23TDSeoX5q3yvq3j7

Please remember that participation in both the National Finals and the World Finals is subject to official approval and selection by STEM Racing Mauritius, the authorised In-Country Coordinator (ICC).

Our ambition extends beyond Mauritius. We are working towards strengthening regional collaboration and helping other African countries develop their own STEM Racing programmes, paving the way for a stronger African presence in future international competitions.

Ultimately, our mission is not simply to develop future engineers. It is to help young people discover what they are capable of, regardless of where they start.

Because talent takes many forms, potential exists everywhere, and every young person deserves a chance to shine.

OUR GRATITUDE TO THOSE WHO MADE THIS POSSIBLE

No achievement of this scale is possible alone. On behalf of STEM Racing Mauritius, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Government of Mauritius, our sponsors, partners, schools, educators, families, volunteers and supporters.

Government of Mauritius
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Government of Mauritius for its financial support to both participating teams. This contribution helped our students take their place on the international stage and proudly represent our country.

MauBank — Our Official Bank Sponsor
A special thank you to MauBank, the first Mauritian bank to support our initiative. Your commitment has helped us transform an ambitious vision into a tangible opportunity for young people. We look forward to building a strong, long-term partnership to develop STEM education and innovation in Mauritius.

Emtel — Official Telecommunication Sponsor
We are deeply grateful to Emtel for its financial and in-kind support. The Emtel eSIM Voyaz proved particularly valuable, enabling our entire delegation to stay connected seamlessly throughout the World Finals in Singapore.

Beyond this achievement, we look forward to exploring further collaboration with Emtel to promote creativity, innovation and digital empowerment in Mauritius and across the region.

Air Mauritius — Official National Airline Partner
Our sincere thanks to Air Mauritius for sponsoring the travel of our entire delegation to the World Finals. The quality of support and assistance provided by the Air Mauritius team was exceptional.

Your contribution made this international experience possible for our students, and we look forward to building on this partnership as we pursue our regional development ambitions.

Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) — Silver Sponsor
We thank the MTPA for its support in helping STEM Racing Mauritius gain international visibility. This first collaboration represents an important step towards exploring new opportunities at the intersection of STEM education, international events and tourism, as Mauritius works towards hosting future regional STEM initiatives.

FedEx
Our gratitude goes to FedEx for supporting the shipment of the miniature racing cars manufactured in Australia to Mauritius, particularly important as we continue building our local manufacturing capabilities and access to specialised equipment.

Lottotech
Thank you to Lottotech for contributing to STEM Racing Mauritius. Your support helped turn a dream into reality for our teams and our country.

HONOR
We sincerely thank HONOR for providing gifts for our participants and supporting our visual coverage as our official photography and video device partner, using the HONOR Magic8 Pro. Your contribution helped us capture and share this remarkable experience.

Hobby World
Thank you to Hobby World for its sponsorship and for providing the Mauritian flag that was proudly raised during the World Finals. It was a powerful symbol of national pride and a reminder of what our young people can achieve.

EO Solutions
We are especially grateful to EO Solutions for supporting STEM Racing Mauritius since the beginning of this journey. Your continued encouragement has contributed to building the foundations of this initiative, and we look forward to further collaboration.

To all our sponsors and partners, your support is not simply an investment in a competition. It is an investment in the next generation of engineers, innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders.

Institut Français de Maurice (IFM) — Our Key Institutional Venue Partner
Our sincere thanks to the Institut Français de Maurice (IFM) for being a key partner in the development of STEM Racing Mauritius. By providing venues for our official events and offering participants free access to its premises to meet, collaborate and prepare for the challenge, IFM has created a valuable space for learning, creativity and teamwork. This support goes beyond providing facilities; it helps nurture the next generation of innovators and future leaders.

LCI — A Believer in Our Vision from the Beginning
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to LCI for believing in STEM Racing Mauritius since the beginning of this journey. Your early trust and continued support have helped us build the foundations of this initiative and move closer to our ambition of empowering young Mauritians through science, technology, engineering and innovation.

Casting World — A Partner Beyond Words
Words alone cannot fully express our gratitude to Casting World for the exceptional support provided to STEM Racing Mauritius. Your commitment and willingness to stand alongside us have made a meaningful difference to this journey. We truly value this partnership and look forward to exploring further opportunities to collaborate as we continue developing STEM Racing in Mauritius and across Africa.

Autocam Repairs — Always Ready to Support Our ParticipantsOur sincere thanks to Autocam Repairs for consistently responding positively whenever STEM Racing Mauritius and our participants need support. Your willingness to contribute and help overcome practical challenges reflects the true spirit of partnership. This kind of commitment makes a real difference to our teams and strengthens the community supporting young Mauritian talent.

Tiremaster — Gratitude for your support
We are grateful to Tiremaster for its sponsorship and contribution to STEM Racing Mauritius. Your support has helped us pursue our ambitions, equip our participants for this demanding international challenge and proudly represent Mauritius on the global stage. Thank you for believing in the potential of our young people and helping turn their hard work into an achievement the country can celebrate.

Cœur de Ville Mall Tamarin — A Longstanding Partner
Our sincere thanks to Cœur de Ville Mall Tamarin for supporting and promoting STEM Racing Mauritius since its early days. Your continued commitment has helped raise awareness of the initiative, bring the challenge closer to the community and inspire more young people to explore STEM, creativity and innovation. We deeply value this longstanding partnership and look forward to continuing our collaboration to empower the next generation of Mauritian talent.

TO THE PEOPLE AND INSTITUTIONS WHO BELIEVED IN THIS JOURNEY

Behind every milestone lies a community of people and institutions who believe in a vision and help turn it into reality.

STEM Racing Mauritius extends its heartfelt gratitude to the individuals who have supported this initiative, some since its earliest days, including Géraldine Secondis, Roland Marmitte, Christoph Sandapa, Antish Seebarrun, Juliana David, Audrey Rose, Achala Mulloo, Jean-François Mootoosamy, Livio Bien-Aimé, Deven Naeck and Jenson Galvin from Australia.

We also extend our sincere appreciation to the U.S. Embassy in Port Louis, the Australian High Commission in Port Louis, Polytechnics Mauritius, the MDPA – Mauritius Digital Promotion Agency, Economic Development Board (EDB) and many other institutions and organisations that have contributed to this journey.

Your encouragement, engagement and support have helped strengthen the foundations of STEM Racing in Mauritius and advance our ambition to create meaningful opportunities for young people through science, technology, engineering and innovation.

Our gratitude also goes to the many educators, teachers, mentors, parents, volunteers and supporters who have dedicated their time, knowledge and energy to guiding and inspiring our students. Every contribution, whether visible or behind the scenes, has played a part in bringing this vision to life.

Finally, we thank all the media organisations and journalists who have shared our story and highlighted the achievements of these talented young Mauritians. Your coverage helps ensure that their hard work, determination and success reach a wider audience, inspiring the next generation to dream bigger and aim higher.

To everyone who believed in this journey, stood alongside us and helped make it possible: thank you. This achievement belongs to all of us, and together, we are building something that reaches far beyond Mauritius.

A MESSAGE TO AFRICA

This achievement belongs to Mauritius, but its significance extends far beyond our shores.

We hope our journey will inspire other African countries to embrace STEM Racing, invest in their young people and create opportunities for them to compete, collaborate and innovate on the international stage.

Our goal is not simply to participate again. It is to help build an African STEM Racing community where more countries can prepare, qualify and proudly represent their nations at future World Finals.

Because talent exists everywhere. What young people need are opportunities, support and people willing to believe in them.

To our students: you have made Mauritius proud.

To our partners: thank you for believing in the vision.

To Africa: this is an invitation to join the journey.

We started with a vision. We built a programme. We reached the world stage.

Now, let us build the future of STEM Racing in Africa — together.

François Mark
STEM Racing Mauritius
In-Country Coordinator (ICC)