Robotech Competition Brings Out Creative Streak In Students
By Aemy Azlena

Kuala Belait - The 5th Robotech Competition 2007 was jointly organised by the Science, Technology and Environment Partnership (STEP) Centre, Brunei Shell Petroleum Sdn Bhd and the Engineering Science Department of the Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

The Robotech competition 2007 is a two-day event, which started yesterday at the Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah College where more than 30 schools from all over Brunei took part in the competition.

In its aim to diversify the economy by encouraging development in Robotic Technology, the competition was aimed at assisting in the development of the industry as a tool to raise productivity and efficiency.

In order to produce a skilled, knowledgeable, able and professional work force in the field of science and technology, it is important for an early exposure to Science and Technology Education for the young generation.

By providing a `hands on' exposure through Robotech competitions, it is hoped that it can increase the interest and intellectual ability of the students.

The objectives of the competition are to instil interest, understanding and appreciation of the robotic world, mathematics, science and technological studies; to educate and train students about the robotic system and practical functions as well as its uses and finally, to encourage innovation in creation of robots among the students.

The competition was divided into two categories -Speed Race and Gladiator.

Speed Race, as the name implies, is a competition between two machines in a designated track where the first to cross the finish line is declared the winner.

The Gladiator category, meanwhile, is an endurance competition that requires contestants to `topple' their opponent. Winners of the competition will receive cash prizes, certificates, individual trophies and plaque for the schools. Other sub competitions will also be held for best engineering design, best artistic design- and the overall winner.

Frank Van Doorn, a Science teacher from Perdana Wazir Secondary School, Kuala Belait brought his eight students to take part in the competition.

The students compete in the Speed Races for Category 1, 2 and 3. Van Doom said that the school thought it was a good idea to get the students involved since they have never created or built their own machines before. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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