The MoU being signed for the robots programme.

The Supreme Education Council (SEC), Maersk Oil Qatar and the College of the North Atlantic-Qatar (CNA-Q) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance co-operation in the development of the robots programme and Robot Olympiad in Qatar’s schools.

The MoU was signed by HE Saad bin Ibrahim al-Mahmoud, Minister of Education & Higher Education and secretary general of the SEC; Sheikh Faisal bin Fahad al-Thani, deputy managing director of Maersk Oil Qatar and Dr Theodore Chiasson, dean of information technology at CNA-Q.

The educational programme is based on the toolkit of LEGO Mindstorm robotics and open to all schools in Qatar.

Within the framework of this partnership, the programme will run for two years and feature a variety of activities. These include the provision of Android tools, training of teachers and students and hosting a series of robotic competitions, including the National Robot Olympiad in Qatar. The qualifying teams in the event will participate in the finals of the World Robot Olympiad in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Lauding the partnership with Maersk Oil Qatar and CNA-Q, a statement by the minister said it would primarily aim to activate the Robot Olympiad programme in Qatar, which encourages schools to engage students in the fields of science, engineering and technology. It is also in the interest of all parties involved in the educational process, including students and teachers, and to provide them with training in various activities related to the robots programme and to create a competitive environment.

“It also gives our students the opportunity to participate in the robots programme and World Robot Olympiad and compete with counterparts at the international level, besides exposing them to distinct experiences and expertise,” he added.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Faisal said: “More than 400 students from 65 schools participated in the robots programme and the Robot Olympiad in 2012, highlighting the innovation and creativity of students in Qatar. We hope the number will increase dramatically to make a real difference in the skills and education of students in Qatar.”

Dr Chiasson, national representative of Qatar in the World Robot Olympiad, said: “When students begin using the Android tools, they start acquiring innovative ideas to enable them to ask what they want the robot to do. At that point, they become more eager to learn science and engineering concepts that can enhance the performance of their own robots. College of the North Atlantic-Qatar is keen to host the programme and robotics competitions for schools.”

 

 

BELOW: The programme will run for two years and feature a variety of activities.

 

Related Story