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The 8th International World Robot Olympiad (WRO) competition commenced in Abu Dhabi today, with students, international delegations and local VIPs from 34 countries attending the opening ceremony.
The ceremony was attended by: H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court; H.E. Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Director General of Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC); H.E Majid Al Mansouri, Chairman of the Department of Municipal Affairs; H.E. Rashed Bin Lahej Al Mansoori, Director General of Abu Dhabi Systems and Information Centre; and a number of other dignitaries.
Director General of Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) H.E. Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili welcomed distinguished guests and students to Abu Dhabi and reinforced the importance of robotics as an education platform. He also expressed his appreciation to the leadership of the UAE and Abu Dhabi for their firm commitment to developing education in the country.
“This event is an embodiment of our efforts to become an innovation-based knowledge economy, as set out by the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030. To turn this vision into reality, it is important for us to support our students to become innovative, creative, and independent thinkers,” he said.
“The fact that Abu Dhabi is hosting the 8th World Robot Olympiad event for the first time in the Middle East, and is bringing together distinguished students from all over the world is an important indication of our spirit of entrepreneurship and our active participation in the international community,” he added.
Eugene Zhang, WRO Advisory Council Chairman, said: “Robotics is a wonderful platform for learning 21st century skills. Solving robotic challenges builds innovation, creativity and problem solving skills in students, and because robotics crosses multiple curriculum subjects, students must learn and apply their knowledge in science, engineering, math and technology together.”
“WRO 2011 marks the first time the international WRO final is hosted outside of Asia, this is the first time WRO is being held in the Arab region, and the first time we have 380 teams participating in the biggest WRO final ever,” he added.
Robotics has been identified by ADEC, and increasingly by educators across the UAE, as a valuable hands-on learning opportunity that encourages creative thinking, while stimulating an interest in science and technology. ADEC’s decision to host the WRO is an illustration of Abu Dhabi’s educational transformation effort, as schools move away from traditional memorization towards 21st century active learning methods.
ADEC has recognized robotics as an effective teaching tool and interactive platform for students to grasp and Press Release understand the use of technology and engineering with real world applications, while helping students develop important soft skills in teamwork and communication.
This event will provide an opportunity to showcase ADEC’s greater vision in the development of local students and to the international community. Through the WRO, ADEC is providing a platform to prepare the UAE’s top students to meet today’s global challenges.
The fact that Abu Dhabi has been selected as host for this event is an important indication of the nation’s growing presence on the world stage as the UAE becomes a business, technology, and education hub.
The WRO is one of the largest international robotic competitions for students, who compete in teams to assemble robots that will participate in challenges to solve a specific problem. The WRO platform allows young students to learn and apply their knowledge in science, engineering, math and computer programming to build an intelligent robot.
The event is open to the public. Finalists will be announced at 2pm on Sunday, November 20th.
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