Ministry of Education Launches “VEX IQ” Robotics Qualifiers with Wide Student Participation

Six Governorates Participate in Local “VEX IQ” Robotics Qualifiers

Liwa: The local qualifiers for the “VEX IQ” Global Robotics Competition, which determine teams qualifying to compete at the level of the Sultanate of Oman, began today at the Liwa Center for Science and Innovation in North Al Batinah Governorate, with the participation of 12 teams representing six governorates. The event is organized by the Ministry of Education.

The competition aims to encourage innovation and engineering thinking among students, enhance programming, problem-solving and teamwork skills, and open opportunities for qualification to regional and international championships. It also supports applied science and technology education inside and outside the classroom through challenge-based and collaborative learning approaches.

This initiative reflects the Ministry of Education’s keenness to support talented students, provide them with high-quality competitive experiences, and develop their capabilities in innovation and programming, in line with national directions to promote a culture of innovation and build a generation capable of meeting future requirements.

Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al Saadi, Head of the Innovation and Scientific Olympiad Department at the North Al Batinah Education Directorate, said that the local qualifiers include teams from the governorates of North Al Batinah, Muscat, South Al Batinah, Al Dakhiliyah, Al Buraimi and Al Dhahirah, with a total participation of 12 student teams comprising 48 male and female students.

He explained that the teams compete in challenges based on completing approved tasks and accumulating points according to clear evaluation mechanisms and precise criteria, with the aim of achieving the highest scores to qualify for the national finals. The competition features three main tracks: individual skills (leadership), individual skills (programming), and teamwork skills, contributing to the development of students’ abilities, the promotion of innovation, and the reinforcement of teamwork and positive competition values.

He added that the VEX IQ Robotics Competition is a global contest in robot design and programming for school students, focusing on STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). The competition includes team matches, individual skills challenges, and judging processes that assess creativity, problem-solving abilities and engineering design documentation.