Team Brunei is set to make their mark on the international stage as they travel to Athens, Greece, for the 2024 FIRST Global Challenge scheduled from 26 to 29 September 2024. The team, comprising three students from Maktab Sains Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan, Mohd Danish Qusyairy bin Jafar Ali, Muhd Aqil Muayyad bin Budiman, Muhd Izzan Najdi bin Sahari and two students from Sekolah Arab Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Mohd Luqman Hakeem bin Mohd Zulkifli, Md Faid bin Supian will proudly represent Brunei in this prestigious international robotics competition. These students participated in the Robotic Coding Conquest from the REV Robotic Innovation Challenge, recently hosted by UTB and in conjunction with the Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition (MYCE) 2024.
The FIRST Global Challenge, an annual event drawing high school students from over 190 countries to participate in a robotics competition focused on addressing global challenges through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). This year's theme, "Feeding the Future," challenges teams to design and built robots addressing sustainable food production and distribution.
Under the guidance of dedicated mentors and with the support from local sponsors, Team Brunei has spent months to preparing for the competition. Their robot, designed and built with the latest technological innovations, reflects the team's hard work, creativity, and commitment to solving real-world problems.
"We are incredibly proud of our students for their dedication and innovation," said Dr. Sharina Yunus, the team’s supervisor and mentor. "This competition is not just about robotics; it's about fostering a spirit of collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. We are confident that Team Brunei will do us proud on the global stage."
The team’s participation has been made possible through generous sponsorships. Information Technology Protective Security Services (ITPSS) serves as the Platinum sponsor, while United National Networks (UNN), Brunei Gas Carrier Sdn Bhd, and Audley Insurance Company Sdn Bhd serve as Gold sponsors, contributing to the team's travel and competition expenses. UTB has offered continuous backing with resources and facilities for the team’s preparation.
Accompanied by Dr. Sharina Yunus from UTB who will oversee the team’s participation, ensuring they have the necessary support they need throughout the competition. Additional technical guidance will come from two UTB final year Mechatronics students, Muhammad Arif Hisyammuddin bin Zaidi and Awang Muhammad Mahran Dr Haji Awang Makarimi, serving as official FIRST Global Mentors.
This journey represents Brunei's commitment to advancing STEM education and offers the students a unique opportunity for global cultural exchange and collaborative problem-solving.
Upon their return on October 1, 2024, the team aims to share their experiences, inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders in Brunei and contributing to the nation's technological advancement.
About FIRST Global
FIRST Global is a non-profit organization that aims to inspire students worldwide to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through the excitement of robotics competitions. The FIRST Global Challenge invites teams from every nation to build robots that can address challenges faced by their respective countries and the world, fostering global cooperation and understanding through STEM.
