Up Close with Joseph Raj Xavier ‘We hope to ignite the passion for Stem in students’ |05 January 2022

Raj (centre) at the 2019 Earth Observation and Remote Sensing, Space Science, Law and Policy Training in Broglio Space Centre (BSC), Kenya

Joseph Raj Xavier is a young Seychellois of 30 years and proud holder of a Master of Technology (M.Tech.) in Manufacturing Engineering.

Presently serving at the division of science technology and innovation (ex-Nisti) and inspiring the next generation of innovators, the tech enthusiast has from a young age discovered and tapped into his passion, and is now helping others to do the same.

Raj attained his Masters in 2015 after receiving his Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in Mechanical Engineering degree in 2013.

“During my formative school years, I was very much interested in the field of mathematics, physics, computer science and all the sciences in general. This interest ignited me to pursue my career in engineering. Apart from my studies, I was also a very active member in National Cadet Corps (NCC) and National Green Corps (NGC) of India,” he recalls.

While at college, a young Raj excelled and was during his bachelor’s degree selected as second place winner for his solar-powered bicycle project, which he presented at a national level technical symposium in India. He also filed a patent for the project.

Moreover, he has presented technical papers at both national and international level conferences, having them published in International Journal of Applied Engineering Research (IJAER). Over the years he has attended several international trainings in the field of robotics, space technology and remote sensing, machine learning, clean energy and emission reduction, and big data.

Raj is also a member of International Corrosion Council (ICC) and member of the technical scientific committee responsible for reviewing the papers in 2021 International Corrosion Congress.

Joining Nisti and his role within the organisation

“The reason I joined the National Institute of Science Technology and Innovation (Nisti) now the division of science technology and innovation (DSTI) within the Ministry of Investment, Entrepreneurship and Industry, is because it resonated well with my qualifications and interests in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem). The roles and responsibilities for my post are broad and unique, giving me the chance to put the knowledge in my area of expertise into practice for the benefit of the country and for pushing the science technology and innovation (STI) agenda,” says Raj.

Since August 2016, Raj has been working with DSTI as a principal research officer – innovation. His main duties include dealing with all matters pertaining to business development, planning and executing projects related in the fields of mechanical, manufacturing, solar technology, coding, robotics and 3D printing, as well as assisting in the development of STI policies.

“I have represented Seychelles in various international level conferences, workshops and trainings where I have gained vast knowledge and experience that help me in achieving my goals and targets at DSTI. I also work closely with international partners in different assignments. Such partners are First Global, Southern African Development Community (Sadc), the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad), and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) among others,” notes Raj.

His role also entails contributing to Stem activities, and thus, opening and running STI clubs in schools and championing Stem, and mentoring Team Seychelles in the global annual FIRST Global Challenge.                

Mentoring Team Seychelles for FIRST Global competitions

Seychelles first participated in the competition in 2017, and Raj jumped on as team mentor in 2018, whereby he coordinated the team, organised meetings, provided inputs, liaised with First Global, managed the logistics, and trained the team for whatever challenge.

“Team Seychelles started participating in the FIRST Global competition in the year 2017. This was the first edition of first global. The competition was held in Washington DC. Xavier Estico was the team manager and the team managed 105th position out of 163 teams. The second edition was held in 2018 in Mexico. The theme of the competition was ‘Energy Impact’ and I assisted in the preparations. In this competition, we were ranked 126th out of the 161 participating teams,” Raj says.

In the 2019 edition in Dubai, despite tough competition, the team managed to emerge in 121st position out of the 161 participating teams. Raj accompanied the team.

Considering the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 and 2021 competitions were held virtually. The chosen theme last year was ‘Connecting Communities’, and despite the challenges of having to adopt virtual methods, the Seychelles team emerged 47th out of 175 teams, a significant improvement from the previous participation in Dubai.

In 2021, the team were fortunate enough to have in addition to Raj, Professor Ralph Etienne-Cummings from the Johns Hopkins University, as one of the mentors.

“This was a great boost for the team given the exposure that he has. Mr Estico was the team manager assisted by a group of other mentors. The team worked so hard and was able to score the highest ranking since it started participating in the competition. The team was ranked 17th out of 177 and to add on that it received a silver medal for the solution challenge (Phase 2 and 3). This is a great achievement which I am proud of as it gives Seychelles a great name in the global arena in matters of Stem and Frontier Technologies,” Raj explains.

“I am grateful for the opportunity of working with the team at DSTI under Mr Estico’s great leadership. DSTI has been an enabling environment and has given me exposure and the chance to explore in Stem-related activities and I enjoy all that I do at DSTI,” Raj adds.

Going forward, Raj hopes to inspire more students to take up and become passionate about Stem and STI, and to take the Seychelles teams even further in the FIRST Global competition.

“With increased partnerships and training from government, local partners and stakeholders and our international partners, we are working towards having Team Seychelles leading the world in the FIRST Global competition and growing into building commercial AI machine that we can use for agriculture, environmental protection, fisheries and blue economy. We hope to ignite the passion for Stem in the students so that we can have most of them take up careers in Stem-based professions to help the country become an STI driven economy and hub. This is because STI and frontier technologies are the power that will strengthen, diversify and leapfrog the economy to leverage our international partners,” concludes Raj.

Compiled by Laura Pillay