In an achievement that adds to the record of Saudi innovations, the team from the Technical College in Al-Ahsa won first place and the "Champions of the Tournament" award in the VEX U National Competition for university students. This prestigious tournament was held at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh, organized and supervised by the Saudi Federation for Robotics and Wireless Sports, which seeks to promote a culture of technological innovation among Saudi youth.
Background on the VEX U Championship and its importance
The VEX Robotics Competition is one of the world's largest and fastest-growing robotics competitions, providing a platform for students of all educational levels to develop their skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The VEX U track is the category for university students, offering a greater challenge in mechanical engineering design, advanced programming, and strategic thinking. The competition aims to cultivate a generation of innovators and engineers capable of addressing future challenges by applying their academic knowledge in a competitive and practical environment.
Achievement details and the HAS5 team
This well-deserved victory is the culmination of the efforts of the joint team from the Al-Ahsa Technical College and the Al-Ahsa Girls' Technical College, known as HAS5. The team comprised a select group of talented male and female trainees who demonstrated remarkable excellence and exceptional skills in designing, building, and programming robots. The team tackled the competition's challenges with high proficiency, from basic robot driving and manual control skills to independent programming tasks requiring the robot to operate fully autonomously to perform specific functions. The team was supervised by a team of trainers and technical experts who provided the necessary support and guidance to hone the students' skills and achieve this success.
The local and international impact of the tournament
This victory not only impacts the Al-Ahsa Technical College but also reflects the significant progress witnessed in the technical and vocational education sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This achievement aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, particularly in the pillar of developing human capital and building a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy. Furthermore, winning the national championship opens doors for the team to participate in international events, such as the VEX Robotics World Championship, giving students the opportunity to represent the Kingdom, compete with the best young minds from around the world, and gain invaluable global experience.
Emphasis on the quality of technical outputs
For his part, the Dean of the Technical College in Al-Ahsa, Professor Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al-Duhailan, affirmed that this victory is a direct reflection of the excellence of the college's graduates and their high level of preparedness. He added that the college is committed to providing a stimulating educational and training environment that fosters creativity and hones talents, and works to prepare national technical competencies capable of competing strongly in local and international championships, and contributing effectively to the labor market and the national development process.
