Cameroonian Female Students Win Gold Medal with Healthcare Robot
Cameroon has recorded a major international achievement in science and technology after two teams of university students won gold and silver medals at the 2026 Global Competition on Design for Futures (GCD4F), held from October 23 to 25 at Beijing Normal University in China.
The competition brought together young innovators from different countries to present technological solutions addressing challenges in healthcare, education and society.
Three Female Students Win Gold Medal
The gold medal went to MERA, a team of three female software engineering students from the National Higher Polytechnic School of Douala, University of Douala.
The students, Djogu Kameni Darelle Charenta, Egoume Ayouma Marie Daphnée and Kaga Marie Andréa, developed an intelligent robotic system designed to assist healthcare professionals and improve access to basic medical services.
Their project, known as Medical Evaluation and Robotic Assistance (MERA), combines robotics and digital technology to support medical assessment, particularly in communities with limited access to healthcare facilities.
The team had previously emerged as African champions during the regional competition held in Cameroon in May 2026.
ECOPRINTLAB Secures Silver Medal
Cameroon’s second medal was won by ECOPRINTLAB, a team bringing together expertise from the University of Douala and the University of Dschang.
The project explores innovative ways of transforming plastic waste into useful solutions for sectors including healthcare, education and infrastructure.
The silver medal demonstrates the growing potential of Cameroonian students to develop practical technologies that address environmental and social challenges.
Cameroon Celebrates International Recognition
According to Cameroon’s Ministry of Higher Education, the achievement represents an important milestone for the country’s universities and technological development.
Professor Roger Atsa Etoundi, representing the Ministry of Higher Education, praised the students’ performance and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting scientific research, innovation and digital transformation.
The international competition was jointly organised by Beijing Normal University and the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education.
The 2026 global finals brought together 23 teams from 20 countries and regions, with 18 teams advancing to the final presentation stage.
For Cameroon, the double medal victory highlights the talent of its young engineers and the country’s growing contribution to technological innovation.
The achievement also demonstrates how African students are developing homegrown solutions capable of attracting global recognition.
Gideon is a Cameroonian-born tech enthusiast who has been actively involved in web3 and blockchain development in Africa for over 5 years. He is a CAN News reporter, covering articles on web3, blockchain, cryptocurrency, and other related topics within the continent.
