Category: Ohrid Hi-Tech

What an incredible day it has been at the Ohrid High-Tech Excellence Camp! Our participants delved even deeper into the world of robotics, engaging in enriching sessions by Robotic Innovation Academy. Their critical thinking and project management skills were on full display as they embraced challenges and honed their technical expertise. The excitement reached its peak as students experienced their first Lego league simulation competition – a truly thrilling moment for all!

As the camp neared its end, friendships blossomed, and bonds grew stronger. The participants shared moments of joy and camaraderie that will undoubtedly last a lifetime.

The pinnacle of the day was the certificate awarding ceremony, held in the beautiful Villa Biljana in Ohrid. It was an honor to have the esteemed presence of President Stevo Pendarovski, whose inspiring words and encouragement motivated the young leaders. Macedonia2025 Chair of the Board of Directors, Michael Chklamovski shared his personal story of immense motivation towards his parent’s homeland, fueling the participants’ determination to contribute to society, give back and use their knowledge for the betterment of Macedonia. 

Check the ambient during the Certificate Award Ceremony on the following link: Со годинашните учесници на „Охрид камп за високо-технолошка…

Congratulations to all the participants on their well-deserved certificates of achievement!

As we conclude this extraordinary journey, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to President Stevo Pendarovski for his invaluable support and vision. Together, we will continue fostering an environment that celebrates young talent and leads to a brighter and technologically advanced future for Macedonia.

Day 5 brought a wave of excitement to the Ohrid High-Tech Excellence Camp! Our participants started their day with a refreshing boat trip to St. Kaneo, setting the tone for an adventurous day ahead.

Next up, they engaged in captivating robotics sessions with Robotic Academy. Through these sessions, students delved into the basic principles of robotics, mastering construction and programming techniques. An exciting challenge awaited our participants as they had the opportunity to build their own robots and program them for a competition. The thrill of completing missions within a given time frame added a competitive edge to their learning experience.

Amidst all the learning, the participants had a blast at the beach and swimming pool, making the most of the hot summer weather. These moments provided valuable networking opportunities and a chance to unwind and have summer fun together.

To round off the day, a special session on cybersecurity raised awareness about using technologies safely and responsibly. This informative session’s key focus was enhancing their consciousness and understanding of the importance of cybersecurity for children.

Today, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Bar and Breakfast (ForestBar), Fruktal, and Vincinni, who kept us sweet and flavored throughout the day.

Be sure to check out the breathtaking pictures from today’s activities, capturing the joy and enthusiasm of our participants at the #OhridHighTechCamp! Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to make unforgettable memories on this remarkable journey of learning and exploration. 

Day 4 at the Ohrid High-Tech Excellence Camp kicked off with an exciting opportunity for some of our participants to speak about the camp on Macedonian national TV. It was a fantastic way to start the day, and the energy only escalated from there!

Throughout the day, our participants immersed themselves in a whirlwind of creativity, innovation, and excitement. The sessions with Young Engineers and Brainster proved to be nothing short of exhilarating, as they delved deeper into the captivating worlds of programming, robotics and design thinking. With boundless enthusiasm, they embraced the challenge of creating incredible projects, using Fable or WE DO 2.0 technology to solve problems related to renewables and sustainable energy. These hands-on experiences left them inspired and passionate about future endeavors in engineering and technology.

Amidst the intensive sessions, our participants had the chance to embark on a picturesque sightseeing tour of the stunning Ohrid. Exploring the rich history and cultural heritage of this enchanting city added a special touch to their camp experience. It warmed our hearts to witness them cherishing their parents’ homeland and forming a deeper connection with their roots during this educational and unforgettable journey.

The perfect blend of learning, fun, and cultural exploration made Day 4 a truly remarkable and cherished moment for everyone involved!

Today, we express our deepest gratitude to four of our corporate partners, Alkaloid, Triglav osiguruvanje, and ItLabs, whose invaluable support has allowed us to focus on ensuring an enriching and safe environment for our bright minds.

As always, we invite you to take a glimpse at the fantastic pictures from today’s activities, showcasing the incredible energy and achievements of our participants at the #OhridHighTechCamp. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to inspire and empower the next generation of innovators! 

Day 3 at the Ohrid High-Tech Excellence Camp proved to be yet another productive and enriching experience for our participants! One of the highlights was the visit to factory Kostal Macedonia, where they gained invaluable insights into the automotive industry. Witnessing how robots are utilized in production was an eye-opening and educational experience. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to Kostal for providing this enlightening opportunity.

The day continued with more engaging sessions, including a fun-filled one with Young Engineers. Participants had a blast creating parking systems and windmill turbines, exploring the world of robotics in an interactive manner. Furthermore, we were delighted to introduce our new program partner, Brainster, who conducted a session focused on creativity and basic programming using FABLE components.

Amidst all the learning and innovation, the participants also enjoyed some fun beach activities, adding a touch of relaxation to their busy day. And to top it off, we had a delightful early evening session crafting the famous Macedonian earrings, celebrating our local culture and traditions.

We invite you to check out the pictures that capture the highlights of this incredible day at the #OhridHighTechCamp! Stay tuned for more exciting updates and experiences as the camp continues to unfold.

The Ohrid High-Tech Excellence Camp continued to be a hub of learning and creativity on Day 2! Our participants immersed themselves in three captivating robotics sessions, led by the talented team from Young Engineers. Through these sessions, they honed their skills and unleashed their creativity, all while delving into the fascinating world of robotics.

Working in teams with LEGO® robotic sets, they explored the concepts of Light Bricks, Functions, and Parameters. The challenges set by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) added a meaningful dimension to the activities. By collaborating on these challenges, our participants not only developed their problem-solving abilities but also learned the value of perseverance and teamwork. One SDG that held particular significance during these sessions was Goal 7, focusing on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. As the next generation of leaders and innovators, our participants are being empowered to tackle the world’s most pressing issues.

The afternoon brought even more excitement, with team-building exercises, beach activities, and a movie screening to keep the energy high.

A heartfelt expression of gratitude goes out to the US Embassy in Skopje for their unwavering support and collaboration. Together, we are leaving a lasting impact on these brilliant young minds, empowering them to shape a promising future.

Stay tuned for some captivating pictures, showcasing the enthusiasm and achievements of our participants at the #OhridHighTechCamp!

The third Ohrid High-Tech Excellence Camp kicked off with a bang! Our journey began in Skopje and led us to the stunning Hotel Aqualina in Ohrid. Welcoming the 25 participants hailing from the US, Slovenia, Croatia, Cyprus, and our homeland was Nena Manchev, the Leadership and Education Program Manager of Macedonia2025.

As the day unfolded, the participants delved into engaging sessions, delivered by one of our programs partners iSource Ltd, which allowed them to get to know each other and build connections with one another. It set the perfect tone for what was to come.

Adding to the excitement, the participants enjoyed thrilling beach activities, making the day even more memorable. And to culminate this fantastic start, we were treated to an amazing concert at the St. Sofia Church, a part of the Ohrid Summer Festival. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Ohrid Summer Festival for delivering an absolutely amazing performance!

With energy and enthusiasm at an all-time high, we can’t wait for the incredible experiences that await us during the rest of the #OhridHighTechCamp! Stay tuned for more updates!

167 children from the Ohrid region will be able to receive a 3-month training in coding and develop digital skills required for 21st-century professions, thanks to the newly established partnerships by Macedonia2025 and Kasarna Hub Ohrid. As a result, these children will be empowered to become the next generation of leaders in their respective fields.

Kasarna Hub Ohrid is a technology hub aimed at advancing technological progress in Ohrid and North Macedonia as a whole. Previously, there were no opportunities for the youth in the Ohrid area to learn or enhance their digital skills. However, Kasarna Hub decided to offer programming courses for children free of charge. Initially, they planned to train only 30 children with the budget they had secured. To their pleasant surprise, 167 children signed up on the first day of the open call, and another 70 signed up in the following days and are currently on the reserve list. These children come from all elementary schools in Ohrid, as well as elementary schools in Debrca and the lakeside villages.

Macedonia2025 believes that this project proposal is highly in line with our cause and campaign’s goal to support the next digitally skilled nation. With over 160 children to be trained through this project, we believe that they will make a significant impact in the area.

Information about the courses 

The overall goal of the course is to contribute to building a new generation of IT professionals at a young age while teaching them to properly use the digital tools at their fingertips. On the one hand, they will be prepared for a well-paid job, on the other, through programming, they will learn to solve problems, be creative, research, and collaborate.

Target group: 9-15 years

Programming courses (Scratch, Python, C++, MS Office – basic and advanced level, WordPress and Google Apps) The courses last 3 months, twice a week for 90 minutes.

The initiative is made possible through the project Roads Not Taken: Municipality of Ohrid Going Green, Smart, Innovative (OHRID GO), funded by the European Union. The project is implemented by the Municipality of Ohrid and Stellar Solutions Skopje.

More information about Kasarna Hub

Located in the beautiful, but neglected area of the old military barracks in Ohrid, they want to re-invent this part of the city by supporting and working with startups, scale-ups, corporations, the local government and the wider ecosystem to drive emerging tech innovation for positive impact. Kasarna Hub is established and operated as part of the project Ohrid Go, co-financed by the European Union, and implemented by the Municipality of Ohrid and Stellar Solutions. Learn more http://kasarna.net/

We are wishing all young participants success in mastering the courses.