EDUTECH launches UAE's first-ever National Robotics Competition to select participants for World Robotics Olympiad

The initiative will provide a platform for students from schools in the UAE to test their creative ability, problem-solving skills and capabilities in robotic design, and will help in discovering the best robotics talent in the country.

Based on the contestants' innovative, creative and technological ability, a panel of Judges will select the top UAE team, who will then be sent on an all-expenses-paid trip to China to compete for the international robotics championship at the 'World Robot Olympiad' (WRO), a world-wide robot-design competition to be held in the Chinese city of Nanning from November 16-18, 2006.

The UAE is the only country in the GCC that has been invited to participate in WRO, a testament to the country's increasing recognition as a knowledge hub and technical expertise centre of excellence. The UAE team's trip will be sponsored by EDUTECH along with LEGO Education, a leading manufacturer and supplier of robotic solutions.

ASF Karim, Managing Director of EDUTECH, said, "Science and technology are fundamental to the development of our knowledge-based society and our main aim through this competition is to develop our students' interest and knowledge in robotics, and in turn contribute to every child's overall mental and social development. We are very pleased to organise this competition in the UAE, taking into consideration that UAE schools have a very high standard of education, with robotics being used extensively in their curriculum, and also since the number of students opting for science and technology studies in the country has been growing steadily."

The UAE National Robotics Olympiad in the high school category will be restricted to children aged between 16 and 18. The competition will follow a 'City Environment' theme. Apart from giving presentation about their work, students will be required to construct robots that will trace a marked track line on the playing field, cross intersections, arrive at specified positions and grab a trash can and return while constantly following traffic instructions represented by color patches.

"The UAE National Robotics Olympiad will showcase the best robot designers and challenge the mechanical engineering skills of students in the UAE. First-of-its-kind in the region for schools, this competition is reflective of our dedication to stimulate education in science, and promote students' technical skills and increase competencies in a variety of disciplines. We invite all the schools in UAE to join in this spirit of competition and engineering excellence," added Karim.

H. E. Dr. Hanif Hassan Ali, UAE Minister of Education, while praising EDUTECH's initiative in organizing this competition said, "Pedagogical approaches that enhance students' active involvement in the learning of science and technology is the number one priority of all educational institutions in the UAE. EDUTECH's initiative to organize this competition in the UAE will not only promote technology learning but also help develop crucial skills in students, such as independence, responsibility, critical reasoning, and social interaction. We appreciate EDUTECH's initiative and urge all the schools in the country to join in this exciting event, which will help them enhance their competitiveness on a global level."

WRO is aimed at young scientists from around the world to showcase their creative ability and engage in a friendly robot competition to develop their analytical skills. As the international robot festivity among youngsters, the first WRO was inaugurated in 2004 at Singapore and the second WRO was held in Bangkok, Thailand last year. So far, Australia, China, Denmark, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Russian Federation, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and UAE have confirmed their participation in this year's event.