Pakistan’s Brightest Young Minds Battle at NUST Robotics Contest
News Desk
Islamabad: The Department of Mechatronics Engineering at the College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (CEME), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), successfully hosted the 22nd National Engineering Robotics Contest (NERC), bringing together hundreds of aspiring engineers and robotics enthusiasts from across Pakistan.
Recognised as the country’s premier robotics competition, this year’s NERC attracted around 247 teams from schools, colleges, universities and private organisations, who competed in nine categories including Indigenous Robotics, Modular Robotics, RoboWars, Aero Build and Fly, Aero Flying Exhibition, SumoWar and Ready to Race.
Speaking at the event, Commandant CEME, Engr Asheer Mahmood Khan, praised the remarkable growth of NERC over the past two decades and highlighted the increasing technical sophistication and innovation displayed by participating teams.
Chief Guest Major General Atique Ahmed, HI(M), Director General EME, Pakistan Army, commended NUST and CEME for promoting innovation and technological excellence among young engineers. He described the competition as an important platform for developing creativity, teamwork, technical expertise and problem-solving skills.
Impressed by the quality of the competition, the chief guest announced that the prize money for the winning teams would be doubled, encouraging greater participation and innovation in future editions.
Addressing the closing ceremony, Head of the Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Dr Hamid Jabbar, thanked participants, organisers, volunteers, sponsors and partner institutions for contributing to the success of the event.
Since its launch in 2003, the National Engineering Robotics Contest has grown into Pakistan’s largest and most prestigious robotics competition, providing students with opportunities to demonstrate cutting-edge engineering solutions and technological innovation.
The event was organised in collaboration with the STEM Careers Programme and the Higher Education Commission (HEC), with support from the Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), Headstart School, the National Centre of Robotics and Automation (NCRA), and the Society of Mechatronics Engineers (SOME).
Awards were presented across multiple competition categories, while the Akhtar Nawaz Team Spirit Award honoured teamwork and dedication in memory of the late Brigadier Dr Akhtar Nawaz Malik, the founder of NERC and the Department of Mechatronics Engineering.
Best Engineering Design Awards were also presented to teams demonstrating exceptional innovation, creativity and engineering excellence.
