In a breathtaking showdown against 190 countries, Moldova's Robotics Team has once again made its nation proud by clinching the GOLD medal in the Innovation and Engineering category and a SILVER medal for the Renewable Energy Innovation Project at the FIRST Global 2023 held in Singapore from October 6-10. This remarkable victory follows the team's outstanding performance in 2019 when the National Robotics team secured three medals at the "FIRST Global" competition in Dubai.
Image Credit: FIRST Global
"If you invest in infrastructure and teachers' skills, sooner or later you will see the results in education, Gold medal at First Global robotics competition is a proof for our long-term commitment to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Education. I believe Moldova's education system will be soon a global example on how to adapt to new realities and how to embrace technologies," says the Minister of Education of Moldova, Mr. Dan Perciun.
Echoing this sentiment, Victoria Belous, Director of Future Classroom, stated: "Future Classroom has championed the National Educational Robotics Program, reaching over 200,000 students nationwide. The Moldovan team's victory at FIRST Global stands as a testament to our program's success and the unparalleled talent and determination of our youth."
Such accolades reflect Moldova's commitment to nurturing its next generation of IT and engineering talents. Through STEM initiatives, the nation has introduced educational robotics programs in over 200 K-12 schools, consistently securing top positions in international competitions.
The commendable Moldovan Robotics Team, comprised of five exemplary students – Țurcanu Nicolae, Romanciuc Cristian, Bostan Sanda, Bandalac Andrian, and Corduneanu Vladimir – and their mentors – Cazac Florin, Bondarciuc Carolina, and Veronica Eșanu – consistently promote and advocate for STEM.
Apart from nurturing young talents, Moldova also boosts its IT and engineering sectors through its higher education institutions, preparing approximately 6,000 students annually to join the nation's growing Precision Engineering and IT companies. The country is rapidly steering towards digital transformation, with wide-scale digitization spanning various sectors including agriculture, creative services, and Government services. Moldova's modest size allows for rapid and inclusive implementation of digital solutions, further establishing its footprint in the global arena.
Given the country's multidisciplinary expertise in engineering, prototyping, IoT, robotics, and embedded programming, Moldova prides itself on its skilled workforce that delivers full-stack solutions and comprehensive development assistance to global clients.
Furthermore, Moldova is not only home to cutting-edge manufacturers like Eliri (microfibers), ADD Group (smart metering), and LED market (LED systems) but also hosts the R&D Center of Draxelmaier and representative offices of international giants such as Siemens, Gebauer & Griller, and Fujikura.
The theme for the FIRST Global 2023, "Hydrogen Horizons" focused on the escalating need for cleaner and equitable energy solutions. The FIRST Global competition, true to its ethos, has been instrumental in elevating science and technology, captivating the world’s youth to delve into STEM and championing transformative global causes.