The College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering at NUST has hosted the 22nd National Engineering Robotics Contest in Rawalpindi, bringing together students, engineers and private-sector teams from across Pakistan to compete in robotics and technology-based challenges.
The contest, organized by the Department of Mechatronics Engineering at CEME, featured about 247 teams from schools, colleges, universities and private organizations. Participants competed in nine categories, including Indigenous Robotics, Modular Robotics, RoboWars and Aero challenges.
Speaking at the event, Engineer Asheer Mahmood Khan, Commandant of the College of E&ME, welcomed participants and guests and praised the growth of the National Engineering Robotics Contest over the past two decades. He also commended the technical standards demonstrated by the competing teams.
Chief guest praises youth innovation
Major General Atique Ahmed, HI(M), Director General EME, Pakistan Army, attended the event as chief guest.
He appreciated NUST and CEME for promoting innovation, technical learning and engineering skills among young people. He said NERC had become an important platform for encouraging creativity, teamwork, problem-solving and technological development.
Expressing satisfaction over the standard of the competition, he said the enthusiasm and technical ability shown by participants offered encouraging signs for Pakistan’s technological future. He also announced that prize money for the winners would be doubled.
Dr Hamid Jabbar, Head of the Department of Mechatronics Engineering, thanked the participants, organizers, volunteers, sponsors and partner institutions for their role in making the event successful.
Pakistan’s major robotics competition
Launched in 2003, the National Engineering Robotics Contest has grown into one of Pakistan’s leading robotics competitions. The annual event provides students and young engineers with a platform to design, test and demonstrate robotic systems in competitive environments.
This year’s contest was organized in collaboration with the STEM Careers Programme and the Higher Education Commission. It was supported by the Pakistan Science Foundation, Headstart School, the National Centre of Robotics and Automation, and the Society of Mechatronics Engineers.
Awards were presented in several categories, including Aero Build and Fly, Aero Flying Exhibition, SumoWar, RoboWar, Modular, Ready to Race and the flagship Indigenous Robotics category.
Special honors included the Akhtar Nawaz Team Spirit Award, named in memory of Brigadier Dr Akhtar Nawaz Malik, the pioneer of NERC and founding head of the Department of Mechatronics Engineering. Best Engineering Design Awards were also given to recognize innovation, technical skill and engineering excellence.
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