Ugandan nurse Flavia Nakaayi, 21, is set to fly to China to compete in the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai. This will mark her first flight, first journey abroad, and first time stepping onto the global stage as a vocational skills trainee. The competition will bring together over 1,400 young skilled competitors from more than 70 countries and regions to compete in 64 official skill events.
Nakaayi's journey to Shanghai began in Mpererwe, a suburb north of Uganda's capital Kampala. She was raised by a single mother and chose to pursue vocational training after completing Senior Four. Nursing had been her passion since childhood, shaped by her own experiences with illness. She enrolled at Kabale School of Comprehensive Nursing and Midwifery in southwestern Uganda and earned a certificate in nursing.
Nakaayi competed in regional and national skills competitions organized by WorldSkills Uganda, under Uganda's Ministry of Education and Sports. She advanced through fiercely contested competitions to become the national champion in the Healthcare/Nursing category. Nakaayi will be joined in Shanghai by Elizabeth Mutoro, the national champion in Welding, and Paul Lugobe, the national champion in Cooking.
To prepare for the competition, Nakaayi underwent intensive hands-on training at Kibuli Hospital in Uganda's capital. Industry experts provided detailed guidance on her nursing techniques and procedures. The three competitors also received training in psychological resilience, international competition etiquette, and cross-cultural communication.
Nakaayi said that regardless of whether she wins a medal, the opportunity to step onto the global skills competition stage in China and connect with peers from around the world is an important step in her life. She hopes to learn new ideas, techniques, and improve areas like communication, critical thinking, and safe patient health care delivery.
Jackson Kuucha, Team Leader of WorldSkills Uganda, said that Uganda will send a delegation of more than 30 people to Shanghai, including senior government officials, competitors, and heads of TVET institutions. The trip aims to showcase Uganda's skilled talent, benchmark the country's skills against global standards, and build international partnerships.
According to Ugandan government reports, vocational education is regarded as an important driver of industrialization and economic transformation, as well as a means of addressing youth unemployment. The delegation hopes to bring back knowledge and experience gained in Shanghai to strengthen Uganda's technical and vocational education and training system.
Key points
- Flavia Nakaayi, 21, to compete in 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai
- Nakaayi to be joined by national champions in Welding and Cooking
- Competition aims to promote vocational education and skills development globally
