Minister of National Education, Prof. Dr. Ir. M. Nuh, Saturday (19/6), officially opened the National Robot Contest 2010 held at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM), East Java. The contest will run until Sunday (20/6). The contest was followed by 96 teams from 53 universities across Indonesia, including UGM.
According to the Committee Chairman, Ir. M. Irfan, M.T, of 96 teams, 24 teams participated in the Indonesian Robot Contest (KRI), 17 teams in the Indonesian Intelligent Wheeled Robot Contest (KRCI), 14 teams in the Legged KRCI, 24 teams in the KRCI Battle, and 16 teams in the Indonesian Art Robot Contest (KRSI). "The National Robot Contest 2010 is followed by 96 teams from 53 universities across Indonesia," Irfan said in his speech. He added that the KRI theme is To Build the Prambanan Temple Together, while KRCI theme is Fire Extinguisher Smart Robots and Ball Players Smart Robot, KRSI Pendet Dancer Robot.
The Minister in his speech said that through the National Robot Contest 2010, at least the students were trained to learn to see problems and to plan everything for the designed solution. Besides, students can increase creative and innovative culture based on technology. "More importantly, students can build a creative culture and innovation based on technology," said M. Nuh.
On the occasion, the Minister promised that the 2010 KRN winners will receive scholarships from the government to continue the S-2 study in the country. M. Nuh hoped the representatives to perform well in the ABU-RROBOCON 2010 in Cairo next September. "The event that has been designed to combine education and entertainment is expected to provide opportunities for universities to develop creative and innovative technologies. For the champions, we will provide the S-2 study scholarships in the country," he said.
UGM sent the Garuda robot to the KRI category, Ironfire to the Wheeled KRCI, Graphika 02 to the Legged KRCI, Geri to the KRCI Battle, and Gadjah Made to the KRSI. Since their departure from Yogyakarta to UMM, the UGM teams were spirited. Hundreds of supporters sang songs of victory. Enthusiasm grew when the Rector, Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M. Eng., Ph.D., who was accompanied by Executive Secretary, Drs. Moerdiyanto Djoko, M.A, attended the event and gave support. On that occasion, the Rector also witnessed the success of the UGM team to put aside the team from the University of Budi Luhur in the KRI first round.
On the first day, a number of games will be contested until the 3rd round. Subsequently, on Sunday (20/6), the race is expected to be more exciting as it will present the big 16 round, quarter final, semifinal and final stages.