The digital olympiads are annual internal competitions where five groups of preparatory class students each take on challenges set by our partners. Not only they are a valuable opportunity for our youth to apply their knowledge, but also to showcase their impressive growth.

On August 29th, the grand final of the 2025 edition was held on the Passerelles Numériques Madagascar campus in Antananarivo, bringing together all PNM staff, the teachers who served as jury members, partner organizations, and several alumni from previous cohorts.

Five Teams, Five Challenges: They are ready to give it all

This year, five teams of ten students each (structured in sub-groups of 5 students from the Science, Technology & Digital and 5 students from the Literature, Communication & Digital), guided by an ideation coach, competed on projects assigned by random draw.

The five projects in question:

• MUS’ART: A project from the Museum of Art and Archaeology focusing on digitizing the Zafimaniry collection through an online platform.

• ECOGAMERS: A project from Malagasy Brand Communication aimed at promoting eco-friendly practices through a mobile game.

• INSEREOO: A challenge from Passerelles Numériques Madagasikara, designed to guide users toward digital careers through online tests.

• SEKURA: A challenge proposed by an association of lawyers, with the goal of creating an online reporting platform for gender-based violence.

• ZURA: An AI-powered chatbot project assigned by Medulla. The bot will provide solutions to clients’ IT issues and generate support tickets when needed.

They were as determined as ever and truly committed to bringing these ambitious projects to life. Together, our young talents demonstrated outstanding teamwork and delivered excellent results despite the time constraints and the recurring power outages in Antananarivo.

The Winners of the 2025 Edition

The Country Director of Passerelles Numériques Madagascar officially opened the ceremony with a welcome speech that was both motivating and impactful. This was followed by the introduction of the jury members and the ideation coaches. Each group of students then took turns presenting their working methodology, the concepts they adopted, and concluded with a lively and dynamic demonstration of the results of their hard work.

The juries’ evaluation was based on several criteria, including graphic design and visual identity, the concept, teamwork, presentation, compliance with the guidelines, and client satisfaction (the organization which assigned the project).

This year’s edition concluded with an award ceremony for the sub-groups of students that most impressed the jury:

• The award for Best Science, Technology & Digital sub-group went to the ZURA team, who stood out for the quality of their work and delivered a fully operational chatbot to Medulla.

• The award for Best Literature, Communication & Digital sub-group was given to the SEKURA team, who designed an excellent mock-up of the reporting platform and skillfully developed a communication strategy to raise awareness about gender-based violence.

• Finally, the Juries’ Special Award was presented to the Science, Technology & Digital sub-group of the MUS’ART team, who distinguished themselves both in the content and the delivery of their presentation.

A True Source of Pride for PN: Words from Our Training Manager

These Olympiads not only allowed our young talents to strengthen their ability to work in teams and manage projects, but also gave them a clearer insight into what awaits them in the professional world.

We are truly proud to witness their growth and to see what they are capable to achieve today. Events like this indeed allow us to measure the scope of our actions and to experience the real impact of our program.

Dear Students

The curtain falls on these Digital Olympiads, which will be remembered as a remarkable showcase of your talent in digital innovation and creative engineering. You demonstrated true algorithmic resilience despite the “bugs” of everyday life: power outages and Internet disruptions.

The grand finale was an exceptional moment, crowned with applause and congratulations from our guests from the museum and the association of lawyers, clear proof that your projects combined academic rigor with societal impact.

I would like to give special recognition to Nathan (Training Assistant), who brilliantly took on the role of master of ceremony, as well as to the winning teams with their flagship projects: ZURA, SEKURA, and MUS’ART, true use cases worthy of the best startups.

Finally, I encourage you to keep this momentum alive, to continue “hacking” obstacles, and to prepare with ambition for the great leap into university life, where countless challenges and disruptive projects await you. “

– Tsoavina, Training Manager –

These results could not have been achieved without the support of our dedicated partners: Mr Stephane and Medulla, Malagasy Brand Communication, Maître Rindra, Representatives of the Museum of Archaeology, Mrs. Heritiana, Mr. Miary, Mr. Toky and Mr. Serge.

Since March 2025, the selection team has conducted information sessions in sixteen high schools across five regions of Madagascar. As a result, the team has already reached over 2,000 high school seniors across the island.

From the region of Vakinakaratra to the far South of the Red Island, the team has mobilized efforts to reach as many final-year students as possible, whether in town or the most remote areas. The main objective is to inform students from all corners of the island about the IT training program of PNM, which is designed to empower and offer them a new perspective on their future.

With a special focus on underprivileged youth and women, PNM aims to challenge the status quo in Madagascar’s IT sector, where women currently represent just 18% of the workforce.

A new hope for vulnerable youth: Opening new perspective through IT education

Breaking the chains of poverty through IT education, this is the mission that Passerelles Numériques has embraced.

To achieve this, Passerelles Numériques Madagasikara conducts an annual selection of 50 young people from underprivileged families who have obtained their baccalaureate within the past two years. Each year, PNM select at least 25 women in order to ensure parity within every cohort. All these selected students then receive four years of free academic and financial support provided by the organization.

The curriculum is divided into two stages:

• A preparatory year at our campus in Antananarivo, designed to strengthen students’ foundational skills in languages and mathematics, while also introducing them to the basics of computer programming and digital communication.
  
• Three years at one of our partner universities, leading to a Bachelor’s degree. Students have the freedom to follow their passions and choose the field that inspires them most. With thoughtful guidance from our dedicated tutors, each learner is empowered to pursue a path that truly fits their profile and potential.

Sessions enriched by the testimonies of our beneficiaries

Far from being a one-sided presentation, these sessions are a real exchange between Passerelles Numériques Madagasikara and the students who are attending. Moreover, such exchanges serve as a meaningful gateway for students to understand our IT training program but also to gain a first-hand glimpse into the experience of being a PNM beneficiary. In most cases, one or two of our beneficiaries from previous cohorts come with the selection team to share their experiences within PNM and encourage students to pursue a career in the IT field.

Passerelles Numériques Madagasikara will equip you with the essential skills and foundational knowledge to help you shine.”

^{– Sanah – a PN student from 1st cohort during an information session in Andramasina}

Few days left to submit your application

The application period has been open since March and will close on July 6th, 2025. To apply, interested candidates must submit a completed form before the deadline.

On April 30, Passerelles Numériques Madagasikara held its third Cultural Day: a key event marking the end of the semester and offering students an opportunity to showcase their talents, strengthen their well-being, and celebrate the rich cultural diversity on campus.

Exploring Key Social Topics through a Digital Lens

This year’s edition focused on major social issues such as the environment, citizenship, gender equality, financial education, and cybersecurity. Students worked in teams to design thought-provoking posters, reflecting their understanding of these challenges and the role of digital technology in addressing them. Their work was guided by a commitment to the ethical use of artificial intelligence, encouraging innovation, collaboration, and critical thinking.

A Day of Learning, Expression and Emotion

The event continued with an interactive digital knowledge quiz, bringing together students in a joyful yet competitive atmosphere.

Students also performed an artistic show, where they expressed themselves through mime, singing, and dancing.
One of the most powerful moments was a moving slam performance by a student, who shared a heartfelt reflection on life at the boarding house: an emotional highlight that resonated deeply with the entire audience.

A Collective Effort for Empowerment

We are incredibly proud of our students for their dedication, creativity, and engagement, and we warmly thank all our partners and guests who joined us for this meaningful event. Their presence and support continue to inspire and motivate our youth.

At Passerelles Numériques, every event is more than a celebration, it’s a learning journey that fosters personal development, civic awareness, and professional growth. Through cultural expression, dialogue, and shared experiences, our students grow into empowered, responsible digital citizens ready to shape the future.