On Saturday, July 4, 2026, the UNESCO Office in Mali proudly participated in the awards ceremony for the 16th Inter-High School Excellence Competition, held at the École Nationale d’Ingénieurs Abderhamane Baba Touré (ENI-ABT). The UNESCO Club of ENI-ABT extended the invitation to the UNESCO Mali team for this distinguished occasion. The gathering successfully united students, academics, teachers, and various partners, all committed to nurturing a culture of excellence among Malian youth, particularly in the critical fields of science and innovation.

During his opening remarks, Dr. Kélétigui DAOU, the Director General of ENI-ABT, expressed his sincere gratitude to UNESCO for its involvement in the activity. He commended the Organization’s unwavering dedication to advancing education across Mali. Dr. DAOU specifically highlighted UNESCO’s initiatives aimed at broadening access for girls to STIM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines, as well as its efforts to promote scientific research and innovation among young people.

The ceremony also featured an address from the Secretary General of the ENI-ABT UNESCO Club. She underscored the profound significance of this 16th edition in recognizing merit and academic excellence. Furthermore, she emphasized the crucial role that UNESCO Clubs play in instilling values of citizenship, peace, and sustainable development within communities.

Mme Oumou Dicko, serving as the Program Officer for Sciences, extended her congratulations to both the organizers for the successful execution of the event and the students for their consistent engagement. She outlined numerous opportunities that UNESCO provides to young individuals in research, including valuable scholarships, mentorship programs, and avenues for participation in various international days observed by the Organization. Mme Dicko strongly encouraged students to further immerse themselves in science and innovation-focused disciplines, thereby contributing meaningfully to the progress and development of their nation.