By Admin. Updated 11:52 p.m., Monday, July 27, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Twenty-one secondary school students from Union Island have completed an intensive two-week coding and robotics programme organised by the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC), equipping them with practical digital skills that organisers hope will inspire the next generation of innovators in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
The first of the NTRC’s three MyApp Summer Programmes for 2026 concluded with a closing ceremony on Friday, July 24, at the Union Island Secondary School. The programme, which began on July 13, introduced students to coding using the Micro, a pocket-sized programmable computer widely used to teach computer science and engineering concepts.
Throughout the programme, participants learned the fundamentals of coding before applying those skills to design, build and programme their own robots. The students then put their creations to the test by completing a series of practical challenges, giving them first-hand experience in problem-solving, critical thinking and technology-driven innovation.
Shashana Defreitas emerged as the programme’s valedictorian. In recognition of her outstanding performance, she received a laptop donated by FLOW and earned a place in the robotics category of the NTRC’s icode784 Competition, scheduled to take place later this year.
The MyApp Summer Programme forms part of the NTRC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen digital literacy and encourage greater interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) among young people across the country.
The initiative will continue with a second two-week session at St Joseph’s Convent Marriaqua, beginning on Monday, July 27, before moving to St Vincent Grammar School for a third session starting on Monday, August 3.
The NTRC thanked the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training, Innovation & Digital Transformation and Information, the Deputy Principal of the Union Island Secondary School, and several corporate and institutional partners for supporting the initiative. Those recognised included the St Vincent Port Authority, FLOW, Bank of St Vincent and the Grenadines, VINLEC, General Maritime Agencies, the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Massy Stores Ltd and Bonadies Supermarket #2.
The Commission also expressed appreciation to the parents of the participating students for supporting their involvement throughout the programme.
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