Thirty-four colleges throughout Jamaica will compete within the sixth staging of the FIRST Tech Problem (FTC) Jamaica Nationwide Robotics Championship, this weekend.
The 2-day championship shall be held on March 7 and eight at Jamaica School in St. Andrew.
The highest-three groups will get the chance to take part within the FIRST Championship in Houston, Texas.
Appearing Chief Training Officer within the Ministry of Training, Expertise, Youth and Data, Winnie Berry, endorsed the competitors, noting that it aligns with the Ministry’s Remodeling Training for Nationwide Improvement (TREND) initiative.
“A giant a part of that transformation is making certain that each pupil in Jamaica has entry to world-class alternatives in STEM – Science, Expertise, Engineering and Arithmetic,” Mrs. Berry mentioned.
She delivered remarks on behalf of Everlasting Secretary, Dr. Kasan Troupe, throughout Monday’s (March 3) media launch held at AC Resort by Marriott in New Kingston.
Mrs. Berry identified that the collaborating college students symbolize the way forward for Jamaica’s innovation and business.
“All of you younger individuals are sensible younger innovators engaged in designing, coding and competing. You’re gaining invaluable experiences that can propel you into careers of at present and future careers,” she mentioned.
She expressed gratitude to the sponsors for his or her funding in Jamaica’s college students and charged the contributors to benefit from the problem.
“Study as a lot as you may and, most significantly, have enjoyable as you study. Whether or not you win otherwise you lose, the actual victory is within the abilities you achieve and the friendships you make alongside the way in which,” Mrs. Berry mentioned.
The Nationwide Industrial Financial institution (NCB) Basis has been the championship’s title sponsor since inception in 2019.
Director, Sharon Williams, shared that roughly $38.5 million has been invested so far, igniting creativity and innovation amongst greater than 3,000 college students throughout Jamaica.
“Expertise is quickly evolving, and Jamaica should maintain tempo. Your abilities, creativity and keenness will assist our nation compete on the worldwide stage. This is the reason the NCB Basis stays dedicated to supporting younger innovators such as you,” she mentioned.
Ms. Williams inspired the collaborating college students to embrace the journey.
“It’s not nearly successful; it’s about studying. It’s not nearly constructing robots; it’s about constructing the longer term. It’s not nearly at present; it’s about unlocking your potential for tomorrow,” she mentioned.
The championship is also sponsored by Jamaica Public Service (JPS) Basis, ATL Unbeatable, First Class Leisure, ATL Automotive, Barita Basis, Grace Kennedy Common Insurance coverage and Pure Water.