Unitel STEAM HUB: Opening New Horizons for Future Engineers of Mongolia
Against the backdrop of winter cold, a little boy with cheeks red from frost sits on the edge of a pen, creating his own code. He launches a drone that he programmed himself and joyfully watches it soar in the sky, following a young yak calf.
Not long ago, children from herding families admired operators who launched drones for television filming, dreaming of how great it would be to have such an opportunity to observe their livestock. But now these children have become programmers themselves, controlling drones.
However, one of the persistent problems of a nomadic lifestyle remains access to education. Many children living in remote somons and villages have not had the opportunity to study modern science and technology, program, build robots, or conduct practical experiments.
Understanding the existing inequality in educational opportunities, the Unitel group of companies initiated a project aimed at providing local residents access to a variety of educational and social activities that are usually available to children in the capitals. Together with various partners, including the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the organization "Women in Technology," the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, and the Department of Children and Family Affairs, they developed ideal places for classes, equipped classrooms, and created educational programs. As a result, the first center was opened in 2022 in the Darhan-Uul province.
Since 2022, the situation has begun to change. Unitel Group launched the Unitel STEAM HUB program, which provides children, regardless of their place of residence, access to knowledge in technology and engineering, allows them to learn and grow alongside their peers, and reduces digital inequality. Currently, the program covers all 21 provinces as well as the Nalaikh district in Ulaanbaatar, becoming a "national initiative" that ensures equal opportunities in STEAM education for local children.
Enkhzolboo Shinebayar, a student of the Unitel STEAM HUB program from Khentii province, shares: "Participating in the program for a month has given me many new friends and the opportunity to get closer to my dream of becoming an engineer." His younger brother is also studying with him, and the strong bonds with teachers and classmates make the classes feel like a second family. Initially, he found it difficult to open up in large groups, but the new atmosphere helped him become more sociable and learn to work in a team. "STEAM HUB has given me not only programming skills but also self-confidence and many friends," adds Enkhzolboo.
🤔 Why is STEAM education important?
STEAM education provides students with critically important 21st-century skills, including logical thinking, creativity, digital literacy, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork. These skills are becoming increasingly necessary in a technology- and innovation-based world. Although STEAM infrastructure in Mongolia is still in its early stages of development compared to global standards, initiatives like Unitel STEAM HUB are broadening access to future in-demand skills, especially in rural areas.
❤️🔥 This initiative was created to inspire the next generation of engineers in Mongolia. To date, it has opened 22 fully equipped STEAM centers, trained 28 certified instructors, and provided basic STEAM education to 3,144 students, reaching over 65,000 people through community events and accessible services.
🏆 Successes in International Robotics Competitions
Students from Unitel STEAM HUB recently debuted at the Enjoy AI robotics and programming competitions held in over 50 countries, where they won gold, silver, and bronze medals for Mongolia. At the 2025 national championship, STEAM HUB students also performed excellently, taking prize places in 9 out of 18 categories and securing 4 out of 6 spots to represent Mongolia on the international stage.
The success of the Unitel STEAM HUB program demonstrates the growing importance of STEAM education in Mongolia, helping to bridge gaps between urban and rural regions while inspiring children to learn outside the walls of school. As part of its ongoing work, Unitel Group continues the six-year tradition of sending New Year gifts to children studying in remote provinces, having already reached over 1,800 children. This year, the tradition continues, and gifts will be sent to Unitel STEAM HUB students in all 21 provinces.
Tatar S.Maidar
source: MiddleAsianNews
