INTERNATIONAL MEB ROBOT CONTEST AT THE ZERO POINT OF HISTORY

13 June 2022 11:52

The Ministry of National Education organized the first of its traditional robot contests in 3 categories in 2007 and 14th of the contest started in Şanlıurfa. 10,813 participants from 1,400 institutions compete with 4,397 robots in 12 categories in the contest which will end on June 16.

The Minister of National Education could not attend the opening of the international contest due to his busy schedule but addressed the participants through live connection.

International robot contest organized under the theme of Göbeklitepe which is called as "point zero of history" with its 12 thousand year old past and listed in the UNESCO World Heritage and slogan of "Ahican at the point zero of history". Ahican is a robot designed by the Ministry as the mascot of the contest.

Minister Özer stated that the international robot contest aims at encouraging youth to be involved in technology research and learn more about science and technology.

He reminded that Robot Contest which was postponed for two years due to the new type of coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic adding that 100 children and teachers from different countries such as Bosnia Herzegovina, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Tunisia, Qatar, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus are participating in the contest.

Özer said that the Ministry of National Education is working in an effort to raise students who follow recent scientific and technological developments and wants to be a part of local and national production.

"In this light, we increased the number of Science and Arts Centers (BİLSEMs) to 355 in the entire country. Our goal is to introduce scientific developments to all students and support them with an innovative approach. As our President often mentioned, 21st century will be the time of the Republic of Türkiye if we achieve to support technological projects of our students," said Özer.

International Robot Contest which was held in different cities every year as a result of cooperation between the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK), the Turkish Technology Foundation (TEKNOFEST) and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination (TİKA) under the coordination of the Ministry of National Education was held for the 14th time in Şanlıurfa.

"Our youth will have the opportunity to share the robots they have built and other designs as well as their cultures with their peers from different countries. Our foreign guests will return to their countries after learning new information," added Özer.

Şanlıurfa Governor Salih Ayhan, Director General for Vocational and Technical Education Nazan Şener and Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Mayor Zeynel Abidin Beyazgül were also present at the opening ceremony.