Students from several faculties broadened their knowledge of robotics skills after taking part in the 13th Robot Contest 2016 at the National University of Laos (NUOL) on Friday.
This year students were able to use their knowledge and ideas to develop new robots for the contest.
The goal of the annual event is to build skills in robot design and operation. The contest aims to develop students’ ability to design and engineer robots while teaching them to work as part of a team when it comes to problem solving.
The robot contest attracts junior level students who are pursuing paths in science, engineering and technology. This year the contest took on extra significance as 2016 is the 20th anniversary of NUOL.
The robot contest involves the use of computer science and electrical and electronic engineering.
The annual contest is supported by several bodies and was first held in 2002 with the aim of sparking students’ interest in science, engineering and technology and encouraging them to improve their skills by giving them an opportunity to design, assemble and operate their own robots.
The contest is organised by the Faculty of Engineering and the Japanese Embassy to Laos.
The opening ceremony this year was attended by Deputy Minister of Education and Sports Dr Kongsy Sengmany, Minister of the Japanese Embassy to Laos Mr Kazunori Kawada, senior officials from NUOL, and students. Dr Kongsy said the contest represented the hard work of talented students and dedicated teachers.
He hoped the contest would serve to improve studying and teaching methods as well as contribute to higher standards at the university.
Eight teams competed in the event, including from the Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Science, Soutsaka College, Lao-Japanese Technical Training Centre, Lao-Top College and the Vocational Technical School in Luang Prabang province.
The electrical engineering team from the Faculty of Engineering won the contest outright, receiving 5 million kip and a certificate.
They will now have the opportunity to go to Japan under the “JENESYS 2016” educational programme arranged by the Japanese Embassy to Laos.
Second place went to teams from Computer Engineering and Information and Technology, who won a cash prize, while third place went to a team from the Faculty of Computer Science, who also received a cash prize.
The Vocational Technical School in Luang Prabang province received a cash prize for good design, while the Lao- Japanese Technical Training Centre won a cash prize for their use of technology.
Source: Vientiane Times
