The Open Arab Robotics Competition in its 9th edition has finalized its activities on March 27 with the crowning of 3 teams from Lebanon and Egypt champions of the competition in its 3 age groups.
Education & Technology Center in collaboration with the American University of Beirut, and the support of IEEE Lebanon Section and FIRST Strategic Partner Booz Allen Hamilton, hosted the competition over 3 days gathering 59 teams from the Arab world in preparation for the world championship on April 27 in 3 major qualifying tournaments: FIRST LEGO League Jr. for elementary level students, FIRST LEGO League for middle school students, and FIRST TECH Challenge at the high school level, of which FLL Jr and FTC were introduced for the first time in the competition. Advancing from their national tournaments to OARC, the 3 categories attracted more than 400 participants and 600 attendees were students presented the results of over three months of hard work to a panel of judges involving 50 university instructors and experts in the fields of computer science, mechanical engineering, entrepreneurship and teamwork. The Head of Jury and IEEE president in Lebanon, Dr. Imad El Hajj, stressed the impact of such an event in bringing the Arab students together "not only to learn about robotics and technology, but more importantly to share ideas and learn from one another in an exciting and friendly atmosphere." The judges convened on Sunday evening to announce team 725 - Tic Tac Toe Arab champions in FIRST LEGO League, and team 801 - Murphies Inspire Award winner at the FIRST TECH Challenge.
The event was rated as a great success for both organizers and the event founders the Arab Robotics Association, despite all circumstances surrounding the Arab World, which kept several teams incapable of visiting Beirut to take part in the event, and remained a perfect example of how Arab students are dedicated to provide a perfect example of their knowledge and skill when provided with the convenient chances.
