“Vinamilk Inspires Sustainability Through Vietnam’s Premier Robotics Competition for Students”

The Ultimate Robotics Playground for Teens

With numerous innovations in organization and theme, this year’s competition witnessed a remarkable improvement in both quantity and quality. A total of 488 teams, comprising over 1500 participants, joined the event from 369 elementary, middle, and high schools across 28 provinces in Vietnam, including major cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Haiphong, Hanoi, Danang, and Hue.

On August 9-10, the Northern regional finals kicked off with over 200 teams competing. Subsequently, high-performing teams will advance to the national finals, where they will face outstanding representatives from the Central and Southern regions. From this intense competition, 16 exceptional teams will be selected to represent Vietnam at the WORLD ROBOT OLYMPIAD 2024 in Turkey. Additionally, the top 20 teams in category B0 (ages 6 to 9) will have the opportunity to participate in the International Robotics Creativity Competition in Singapore.

Attending the official opening ceremony of the competition, Mr. Lasse Pedersen Hjortshøj, Counselor at the Embassy of Denmark in Vietnam, shared: We are delighted to witness the annual growth in both the quantity and quality of participants in the competition, indicating that the values brought by the competition are being positively received. At the same time, the competition also receives the companionship of local leaders, the education sector, schools, and businesses interested in the development of children and the sustainable future of the Earth. We appreciate all this companionship.

Each year, the competition features a central theme that revolves around global concerns with a significant impact on young generations. The 2024 contest commenced with the theme “EARTH ALLIES,” offering participants a chance to explore and create solutions related to sustainable development and environmental protection.

Sharing Vinamilk’s partnership in this year’s competition, Mr. Nguyen Quang Tri, Executive Director of Vinamilk, stated: While mastering technology is an indispensable skill for future global citizens, climate change is a particular concern that requires the collective action of all. These are the common points that Vinamilk and the ROBOTACON WRO 2024 program are aiming for by organizing the competition with the theme ‘Earth Allies.’

We hope that the competition will help students develop their thinking in applying technology and creating innovative solutions for environmental protection and our shared planet—a noble responsibility that young people should imbibe from their school days,” he added.

Technology for a Sustainable Future

With the theme “Earth Allies,” Vinamilk collaborated with the organizers to design challenges for students aged 6 to 19 to address through creative technological solutions and robot automation: Sustainable Agriculture – Green Farm (Elementary); Building a Green City (Middle); Protecting Planet Earth (High School).

According to the competition’s teachers and experts, what sets this year’s contest apart is that the problems not only require robotics skills from the students but also somewhat mimic real-world green solutions, such as waste collection, recycling, and reforestation. This approach enables students to develop their thinking and apply technology to address issues like natural resource depletion, environmental pollution, global warming, and climate change.

Mr. Hoang Minh Cuong, Vice Chairman of Haiphong People’s Committee, emphasized that sustainable development is both a necessity and a requirement for Vietnam to join the global production chain and enter the markets of developed countries. To achieve this, there must be a focus on children’s education from an early age.

I highly appreciate the competition’s choice of theme, ‘Earth Allies,’ as well as its organization and problem-setting approach, which help equip students with knowledge and awareness of protecting the Earth, paying more attention to the environment, and promoting sustainability. The involvement of businesses is also crucial as it allows students to access modern equipment, new technologies, and a beneficial playground,” assessed Mr. Cuong.