Bangkok--7 Aug--MTEC MTEC/NSTDA Gathers Alliances Ready for Host of World Robot Contest “IDC ROBOCON 2007” Celebrating 120 years of Thailand — Japan Companionship Prof. Dr. Yongyuth Yuthawong, Minister of Science and Technology presides over the press conference of “International Design Contest (IDC) ROBOCON 2007” held by National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC) and Chulalongkorn University in associated with the main sponsors; National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) Ministry of Science and Technology, Software Industry Promotion Agency (SIPA), Technological Promotion Association (Thai-Japan) and Thai Robot Society. Due to the 120 years anniversary of Thailand — Japan Relationship, The IDC committee and Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) rely on Thailand to be the host of “IDC RoboCon 2007”. The contest takes place during 6th — 18th August 2007 at Chulalongkorn University and the Final Round of the Contest will be held at Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC) Bangna Bangkok as a part of the National Science and Technology Exhibition 2007. Prof. Dr. Yongyuth Yuthawong states that this year is the first time IDC RoboCon is held in Thailand, due to the 120th anniversary of Thailand — Japan Companionship. It is the great opportunity of Thai students to have a chance to work with foreign students from leading universities such as MIT and Tokyo Tech, from 5 member countries consisting of Japan, the United State, Brazil, Korea and France. The contest is held during Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s Birthday celebration which known as the national Mother’s Day. The theme of the contest is that the built robots have to be able to hand festoons or Pouwg-Ma-Lai and other flowers as symbol of love to a mother. There are 12 Thai students from various universities, namely Chulalongkorn University, Kasetsart University, Thammasat University, KMIT North Bangkok, and Mahidol University, participate in the contest. Thai students as well as the other foreign students, in total of 44 students, will be divided into 11 teams as multi-national groups. Each team, consists of four multi-national students, is required to design and construct one or two robots to complete the mission or assignment as indicated in the contest rule issued by the judgment committee. Each team has about 10 working days to complete the robot building by using only provided materials and equipments. On August 18, 2007, the final round, all the teams will have to complete each other at the National Science and Technology Exhibition, BITEC Bangna. This year mission will relate to the Thai National Mother Day. So, the mission is called “Thank you Mae (Mother)”. The robots will hand festoons or Pouwg-Ma-Lai and other flowers such as potted flowers to grateful Mom for her virtue. Minister of Science and Technology added that being host of IDC RoboCon 2007, reflects our Thai Youth abilities in the international stage. This event emphasizes in transforming science and technological knowledge in classes to design and build practical robots. It is also important that our students have opportunity to build relationship with foreign colleague. In addition, this event a good channel to promote Thailand to international countries. Mr. Kazuo Shibata the Director Counselor, Embassy of Japan in Thailand reveals the gratitude of being host for IDC RoboCon 2007 and firstly represents Thai student to the contest to strengthening relationship between Thailand and Japan which now celebrate 120 years anniversary. Thai students as the representatives to continue the relationship of the two countries, we wish to welcome Thai students to the future contests. Associate Prof. Dr. Paritud Bhandhubanyong, the Director of National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC) said that Thai students have great opportunity to develop and exchange their attitude, skills, and working technique with their foreign members who are from world renowned universities in technology fields. This event is a good stepping stone for them to become international inventors through real practice. He confidently added Thailand will become a permanent membership of IDC RoboCon in the near future Contest activities and workshop will be at the Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, for entirely 2 weeks. Here all teams will start to work right after this press conference. The faculty has arranged an open house day on August 10, 2007 (afternoon) for public and other students. This day, all teams will describe their ideas, budget, planning, and creation of their robots according to the rules. Prof. Dr. Direk Lawansiri, Dean of Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University said that Faculty of Engineering takes seriously its roles and responsibilities as an institute of higher education and research. Its faculty members are dedicated to giving highest quality of education to its students and sharing the knowledge to the society. We strongly support this event and will be glad to contribute in anyway we can to make it a successful one because such an international competition will greatly benefit the education and development of Thai students. They can sharpen their skills and enhance their knowledge in ways otherwise not possible. This will ultimately benefit the country as a whole when these students graduate and enter the society as valuable members who can contribute constructively to the sustainable development of Thailand. Mr Sikornron Wattanasarn, a representative of Thai students from Chulalongkorn University, said that he took additional training courses in machining shop utilities to prepare for this contest. He mentioned that Thai and Foreign students have comparable knowledge and skill. It is challenging to team work with foreign student and share our skills and technique for creating robots. He confidently said Thai students will perform well with foreign friends. Join and cheer Thai and his foreign innovators. For the update and details of this contest, please visit MTEC website at http://www.mtec.or.th or the IDC RoboCon website at http://www.idc.ctrl.titech.ac.jp/idc07/ For more information, please contact Public Relations and Exhibition Section of MTEC Tel: 66 2564 6500 Ext. 4519, 4522 Fax: 66 2564 6369 E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] www.mtec.or.th And Project Information Support at Ms Warunee Apiraksukhumal Tel: 081 867 7789 Ms Karnjana Phungsap Tel: 081 439 2378