Muntinlupa students reap awards in robotics competition

FILIPINO students outshone their counterparts abroad in the recently concluded robotics competition held for the first time in the country.

Out of the 20 categories in the 20th International Robot Olympiad (IRO), the Philippine delegation garnered 76 medals topped by three golds in humanoid archery, three silvers, 13 bronzes, 35 technical medals and 24 high commendation awards.

The Filipino students competed with 700 students from Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand and Uzbekistan.

The contingents were divided into two groups: Junior Division for kids 12 years old and younger; and Challenge Division for kids 13 to 19 years old.

“I envision that each student in the Philippines will become a productive innovator and inventor who will put the Philippines in the center of global progress,” said Anthony Gabitan, president of Philippine Robotics Team and Data Science and Technology Corp.

He expressed his gratitude to the City of Muntinlupa, led by Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, for hosting this year’s IRO, an annual gathering of robot learners and mentors from member-countries.

Themed “Save the Seas,” it was held at the De La Salle Santiago Zobel School (DLSZ) in Ayala, Alabang, from December 14 to 18.

International Robotics Olympiad Committee President Kim Jong-hwan led the opening ceremony of the four-day robotics event.

Other officials joining the IRO launch were Muntinlupa Deputy Administrator RJ Smith (representing Fresnedi), DLSZ President Br. Bernard S. Oca FSC, and members of the IRO Technical Working Group.

This yearly competition was first staged in South Korea in 1999. Other countries which previously hosted the contest were China, Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the United States and Singapore.