World Robot Olympiad to be held in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI // The capital is gearing up to host the first World Robot Olympiad to be held in the Middle East.

This year the international robotics challenge will be hosted by the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) between November 18 and 20.

The World Robot Olympiad (WRO) gives pupils hands-on learning as they try to build functional robots.

UAE pupils will have to get through the national challenge to qualify to compete against other nations. Registration will be open until next Sunday on the website wrouae.ae.

Teams will participate in seven regional competitions next month with the winning teams progressing to the finals at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Kerry Bailey, a special adviser at Adec, said robotics was an effective teaching tool for technology and engineering.

"Solving robotic challenges builds innovation, creativity and problem-solving skills," Ms Bailey said.

Dr Najla Al Naqbi, the programme manager at Adec, said the council expected more than 1,500 pupils from 32 countries in the finals.

Individuals, private teams, and schools and universities can enrol in one of the open, regular and WRO Gen II Football categories.

aahmed@thenational.ae