The Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA), in partnership with the African Olympiad Academy (AOA), has launched a Residential Bootcamp for Kenya’s most talented students in mathematics, science, and informatics.
The Rising Stars Training Camp, running from April 8-12, 2026, at CEMASTEA in Karen, Nairobi, aims to prepare the thirty students for prestigious competitions, the Pan-African Mathematics Olympiad (PAMO) and the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).
The camp is a key part of Kenya’s strategy to strengthen its performance in these global Olympiads, while also introducing and strengthening informatics training ahead of the Pan-African Informatics Olympiad (PAIO) in Rwanda.
Students who qualify for the IMO will have the opportunity to continue their training at the AOA campus in Kigali, Rwanda, where they will receive advanced support to further their skills. The Olympiad contests also offer students a chance to earn prestigious scholarships to pursue further education.
Acting CEMASTEA CEO Ms Gladys Masai emphasised the importance of the program in advancing STEM education in Kenya. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the camp in Karen, she noted that this year’s bootcamp has expanded to include informatics, in line with both global educational trends and national priorities.
“This training camp will not only prepare students for upcoming Olympiad competitions but will also inspire them to pursue excellence beyond the classroom and make meaningful contributions to society,” she said.
Arun Shanmuganathan, Co-founder and Executive Director of the African Olympiad Academy, highlighted the Academy’s commitment to identifying and supporting top-performing students across Africa, including Kenya.
He also noted that the Academy is particularly focused on providing opportunities to Kenyan students, with scholarships to be awarded at the end of the training camp. Currently, five Kenyan students are enrolled at the Academy’s campus in Kigali, which hosts a total of 30 students.
Admission into the Academy is highly competitive, with a fixed annual cohort of 30 students selected based on the availability of scholarship funding.
The camp is organised in collaboration with the African Olympiad Academy and supported by partners, including the University of Nairobi and the University of Waterloo.
READ ALSO: Gladys Masai named acting CEO at CEMASTEA as Jacinta Akatsa retires
CEMASTEA is also hosting a five-day STEM Boot Camp on coding, robotics, and mentorship at its Karen Campus, targeting learners from Grades 4 to Form 4.
The program is designed to equip participants with essential skills for today’s technology-driven world through practical experiences in coding and robotics.
By Obegi Malack
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