On Saturday, July 4, 2026, the UNESCO Office in Mali proudly attended the awards ceremony for the 16^th Inter-High School Excellence Competition. This prestigious event, held at the École Nationale d’Ingénieurs Abderhamane Baba Touré (ENI-ABT) and hosted by its UNESCO Club, convened a diverse group of high school students, university learners, teachers, academic administrators, and various partners. The core objective was to champion **excellence** among Malian youth, particularly in the vital fields of **science and innovation**.

During his opening remarks, Dr. Kélétigui DAOU, the Director General of ENI-ABT, extended his gratitude to UNESCO for its involvement and lauded the Organization’s unwavering commitment to advancing **education in Mali**. He specifically highlighted UNESCO’s initiatives aimed at enhancing access for girls to **STEM** (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines, alongside its efforts to stimulate **scientific research and innovation** among young people.

The ceremony also featured an address from the Secretary-General of the ENI-ABT UNESCO Club, who underscored the profound significance of this 16^th edition in recognizing and celebrating academic merit and excellence. She further emphasized the crucial role that UNESCO Clubs play in promoting fundamental values such as citizenship, peace, and **sustainable development**.

Mme Oumou Dicko, UNESCO’s Sciences Program Officer, offered her congratulations to the organizers for a highly successful event and commended the students for their sustained dedication. She outlined several valuable **opportunities UNESCO** provides to young individuals in the realm of research, including scholarships, mentorship programs, and avenues for participation in various international days observed by the Organization. Mme Dicko strongly encouraged students to deepen their engagement in **science and innovation** to actively contribute to the progress and **development of Mali**.