Doha: Qatar University (QU) recently launched its 8th Computing Contest (QUCC), an annual initiative organised by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) at the College of Engineering (CENG). The competition requires students to programme a robot that will perform tasks within a limited time.
As in previous years, the contest is based on logic programming of the sensor inputs of a LEGO-based robot. This year, students will use the LEGO EV3 kit and in an added engineering component, they will compete in the final day on May 9 to demonstrate the time it takes for their robots to complete the tasks.
First place winner will be awarded QR10,000 and a scholarship to study at CSE, while QR6,000 and QR4,000 will be awarded to the 2nd- and 3rd-place winners respectively.
Fifty eight students and 19 teachers from 58 schools attended the launch ceremony. A workshop held on March 7 to orient students and teachers on the competition guidelines will be followed by another on March 14. Student projects will be conducted under the supervision of teachers, and in coordination with the contest committee.
In his opening remarks, CENG dean Dr Rashid Alammari thanked the sponsors QAPCO, Dolphin Energy and ExxonMobil Qatar for their support, and highlighted the importance of the contest in engaging secondary school students to develop their creativity and innovation in computing as well as to raise their awareness on CENG programmes.
He added: “This contest is in line with CENG’s goal to produce graduates who are experts in computer science and engineering. It also highlights our commitment to provide the industry with highly-qualified graduates in software and systems engineering, websites design and development, network engineering, and systems security, consistent with their needs.”
ExxonMobil President and General Manager Alistair Routledge said: “In Qatar, ExxonMobil provides the energy to drive human potential through its partnerships in local programmes. Qatar University’s Computing Contest is one of the programmes which support this objective. The contest challenges students and teaches them important life skills, such as commitment, teamwork and leadership. All of this —combined with computing skills and engineering techniques — is a recipe for success. We are proud to play a role in fostering a generation of technical experts and leaders who can create a sustainable future, both locally and globally.”
The Peninsula
