125 teams representing 10 Arab countries compete in major event

KUWAIT: Under the patronage of Education Minister Hamed Al-Azmi, the 12th Arab Robotics Championship (ARC) kicked off on Tuesday at Kuwait University. The Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Talent and Creativity, which is affiliated to the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), is hosting the championship in cooperation with the Arab Robotics Society from January 8 to 10, 2019.

Abeer Al-Amiri, head of the championship, told Kuwait Times that this championship started in Kuwait and is considered as the strongest technological championship that features 125 teams representing 10 Arab countries. The teams include about 350 competitors. "Educational computers and robots have become key modern methods used in education that helped teachers be innovative. Keeping pace with the latest scientific developments and functioning technology are the most important features of the ministry's policy," she pointed out.

During the opening ceremony of ARC, representing Education Minister Hamed Al-Azmi, the ministry's undersecretary for educational development and activity sector Faisal Al-Meqseed said the education ministry has been eager to implement the latest technologies in the educational process, mainly robotics. "Robotics is a development in the artificial intelligence technology field that has become a key part of education curricula in most developed countries," he said.

Robotics is widespread in many educational processes across the globe, as it provides several potentials for the education sector, Azmi said. Hosting this event is a source of pride and gives a positive message on Kuwait's status in such fields, he added. Kuwait is a leading country is terms of hosting and organizing such championships, which serve the educational process, he affirmed. He said that the ministry has paid much attention to scientific aspects which lead to further development.

Director General of the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) Adnan Shehab El-Din said in a speech during the ceremony that the hosting of this event is part of Kuwait's keenness on disseminating scientific awareness and the culture of innovation to all segments of the society. "This also shows Kuwait's faith that AI has become one of the most developed technological fields," he said, adding that it could be increasingly used in the auto industry as well as medical and military domains.

By Faten Omar