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Zanzibar to train aerospace experts as five students head to NASA Hackathon contest in Oman

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  Published in Science and Technology on Sunday, October 12th 2025 at 18:48 GMT by The Citizen
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Zanzibar’s ambitious plan to nurture a new generation of aerospace experts has taken a significant leap forward as five bright students from the archipelago prepare to compete in a NASA-hosted hackathon in Oman. The initiative, unveiled in a recent coverage by The Citizen, underscores the region’s commitment to science and technology education and highlights the collaborative efforts between local institutions and international partners.

Building an Aerospace Talent Pipeline

In an interview with the Ministry of Education, Zanzibar’s director of technology, Dr. Saliha Ndani, outlined the steps taken to create a robust aerospace training program. “We have identified key skill gaps in the STEM fields that can be bridged through specialized training,” she said. The program involves a partnership with the University of Zanzibar’s School of Engineering and the newly established Institute of Space Studies, a joint venture with the United Arab Emirates Space Agency. Through this alliance, students will gain hands‑on experience with satellite design, orbital mechanics, and data analytics.

The government has allocated TZS 500 million (approximately USD 200,000) for the first cohort of training, which will include summer workshops, mentorship by seasoned aerospace engineers, and access to state‑of‑the‑art simulation labs. Dr. Ndani emphasized that the program’s objectives are not only academic but also to position Zanzibar as a competitive player in the rapidly expanding African space sector.

Five Students Take the Stage

The five selected students—two male and three female—represent a mix of backgrounds and specialties. Among them is Amani Kamau, a senior from the University of Zanzibar’s Mechanical Engineering department, who has already contributed to a small satellite project aimed at monitoring coastal erosion. Another is Zainab Al‑Shari, a computer science major from the Zanzibar Institute of Technology, whose work in machine‑learning algorithms for spaceborne imagery earned her a scholarship to a regional conference in Nairobi.

Their selection was based on rigorous assessment of academic performance, project experience, and innovative problem‑solving skills. The students will participate in NASA’s “SpaceHack 2025” competition, which is being held in Muscat, Oman, from October 15 to 18. The hackathon invites teams from around the world to devise solutions to real‑world challenges in space technology and sustainability. Teams are judged on creativity, feasibility, and impact, with the winning group receiving a scholarship to pursue graduate studies in aerospace engineering.

NASA’s Support and Global Collaboration

NASA’s involvement in the event marks a continued effort to engage with emerging space communities. The agency’s International Outreach Program has a long history of facilitating student participation in its competitions. “We are thrilled to see Zanzibar’s students joining us,” said NASA program manager, Dr. Luis Ortega. “Their fresh perspectives and determination are exactly what we need in the next generation of space innovators.”

In addition to NASA, the hackathon is supported by the UAE Space Agency and the Omani Ministry of Higher Education, which provide travel grants and accommodation for international participants. The event also features workshops led by experts from SpaceX, ESA, and the Indian Space Research Organisation, ensuring a broad range of expertise for the contestants.

The Road Ahead

While the upcoming hackathon represents a milestone, the long‑term vision is to establish a sustainable ecosystem that supports aerospace research and development in Zanzibar. The government plans to expand the Institute of Space Studies into a research hub that collaborates with universities across East Africa. There are also proposals to launch a national satellite program, leveraging the expertise gained through training and international partnerships.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Education has outlined a curriculum overhaul to integrate space science into secondary education. “We want students from a young age to be excited about the possibility of working in space,” Dr. Ndani noted. “Early exposure is key to developing the necessary skill sets and passion.”

The five students’ participation in NASA’s hackathon is more than a personal achievement; it signals Zanzibar’s emerging role in the global space community. Their success could inspire a wave of interest in aerospace disciplines across the archipelago and beyond, setting a foundation for future projects that harness space technology for regional development, environmental monitoring, and economic growth.

In conclusion, the collaborative framework between Zanzibar’s educational institutions, international partners, and global agencies like NASA is poised to transform the region’s capacity to innovate in aerospace. As the students gear up for the hackathon in Oman, the world watches with anticipation to see how this nascent talent pool will shape the future of space exploration and technology.