Iraq secures second place globally at the GRC 2025 Global Robot Challenge Championship… A delegation from Al-Frat Central Technical University participates

Iraq has achieved a new global milestone after the participation of the Programming Club Unit in cooperation with the Continuing Education Unit of the Technical Engineering College Najaf – a formations of Al-Furat Central Technical University – in the World Robotics Challenge hosted by the Saudi capital Riyadh from 8–9 January 2025.

The participation of the faculty this year came with a delegation officially headed by the head of the Programming Club Unit, A.M.D. Alia Abdel Hussein Lafata, who also represented the Creative Smart Skills Club, and the delegation included five students from the Governorate of Najaf-Ashraf along with three coaches, in addition to the participation of the Programing Club Unit Officer and one coaches as a member of the international arbitration committees. The delegation competed in a wide-ranging global event that saw 220 teams and over 700 competitors from within and outside the Kingdom, presenting high levels in the fields of robotics, programming and innovation.

The tournament included a wide range of challenges, including: robotic divers, formula racing, speed racing, robotic tug of war, environmental rescue, innovation, scratch, mobile apps, website development, and Python programming, which provided students with ample space to showcase their creative and technical skills.

The participation of the Iraqi delegation resulted in the achievement of three global awards in the innovation competition – the school students category, represented in:

Second place globally.

Best futuristic idea award

Best Creative Idea Award

ADDING TO THE CERTIFICATES OF PARTICIPATION

M.D. Alia Abdel-Hussein also received a shield gesture in honor of the participating countries, as well as a certificate of appreciation for her participation in the arbitration committees

This achievement comes to emphasize the strategic direction of the university and the college in supporting students and developing their technical skills, enabling them to compete in international concerts, and consolidating Iraq’s presence in the fields of innovation.

In the context of celebrating the achievement, Her Excellency the Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Safia Al-Sohail, made an official invitation to the faculty delegates following her successful participation, where they were received at the headquarters of the Embassy in Riyadh in a festive atmosphere that affirms the appreciation of the state for the efforts of its children.

She praised her happiness during the meeting for the outstanding performance of the delegation, describing the achievement as “global and exceptional”, praising the level in which the student appeared as true ambassadors for Iraq in an international event involving hundreds of participants from several countries. And it reflects a bright picture of Iraq and its Iraqi culture that has been extended for more than 7500 years of civilization.

On their part, the members of the delegation expressed their thanks and gratitude to the Ambassador for her kind initiative and warm reception, assuring that the moral support provided by the Iraqi embassies contributes to strengthening the confidence of the students in themselves and pushing them towards greater excellence.

Al-Furat Central Technical University and Technical Engineering College Najaf emphasizes that this achievement represents an important step in the University’s strategy to advance the skills of technical students, enhance their international participation, and solidify the role of Iraqi academic institutions in supporting innovation and creativity.