Maltese ICT MCAST students to participate in the First Global Challenge Robotic Olympics

Three Maltese ICT Students will be participating in the ‘First Global Challenge – International Robotic Olympics’ that will be held between the 16th till the 18th July in Washington DC.

Parliamentary Secretary Silvio Schembri together with US Ambassador Gill Kathleen Hill met the three Maltese students - Andrea Abela, Patrick Brejza and Clive Tonna, who are Level 4 second year students, following a Software Development and Multimedia Software Development course at MCAST.

Parliamentary Secretary Schembri congratulated the students whilst wishing them well in these Robotic Olympics. “It is a great opportunity for Maltese students to be representing our country in the US, whilst gaining good career exposure in such a prestigious competition on an international level. The Maltese government is committed to provide further opportunities for students in digital economy and innovation,” said Silvio Schembri.

US Ambassador Gill Kathleen Hill congratulated the students and their mentors for their commitment to First Challenge. She said that the US Embassy is committed to supporting educational exchanges. These exchanges help promote a positive image of the US through education. She added, “One of my personal goals is to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics among youths, so I am very excited to be here with you at Esplora today.”

In this event, the three students explained how for the past weeks they worked together to develop a robot which will be able to overcome challenges such as filter out blue balls from orange simulating water filtration. All this happened under the supervision and mentoring of Conrad Vassallo, Director of the Institute of Information and Communication Technology. The aim of this project is to create awareness on the importance that all nations have access to clean water, the main theme of this event.

Moreover, the students noted that by means of a team work environment, students will realise the importance of cooperation in order to solve the global water crisis.