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NegOcc hosts first robotics training center in Western Visayas

By Nanette Guadalquiver

November 19, 2019, 7:43 pm

<p><strong>NEGRENSE ROBOTICS.</strong> Negros Occidental Gov. Jose Eugenio Lacson (center) with other officials during the launch of the Robotics and Intelligence Machines Program in Bacolod City on Tuesday (Nov. 19, 2019). The program aims to hone the fundamental skills of young Negrenses in the emerging fields of automation, instrumentation and robotics industry. <em>(PNA photo by Nanette L. Guadalquiver)</em></p>

NEGRENSE ROBOTICS. Negros Occidental Gov. Jose Eugenio Lacson (center) with other officials during the launch of the Robotics and Intelligence Machines Program in Bacolod City on Tuesday (Nov. 19, 2019). The program aims to hone the fundamental skills of young Negrenses in the emerging fields of automation, instrumentation and robotics industry. (PNA photo by Nanette L. Guadalquiver)

BACOLOD CITY -- The provincial government-run Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center (NOLITC) on Tuesday launched the Negrense Robotics and Intelligence Machines Program as part of its innovative course offerings for Negrenses.

The move established Negros Occidental as the host of the first robotics training center in Western Visayas, and the first local government in the country to support a learning center for robotics.

“I consider today as a good day for the province of Negros Occidental for we start advancing ways to empower and enable our people through Negrense Robotics,” Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said during the program launch held at the NOLITC Social Hall.

The NOLITC has partnered with Pinoy Robot Games headed by founder Melvin Matulac for the conduct of training for teachers and students.

“I have yet to find someone from Region 6, or from Negros (who was) with me in an international contest. That’s why we went down to Visayas and Mindanao because the medalists are all in Luzon. None from Region 6. I would like to see that happen,” Matulac said.

He said the training and workshops offered by NOLITC intend to augment the learning of students and make teachers as “champions” of robotics.

Through the Negrense Robotics and Intelligence Machines Program, the fundamental skills of young Negrense trainees will be honed in the emerging fields of automation, instrumentation and robotics industry.

The NOLITC, through the robotics training center, will provide a space for innovators and leaders to convert their curiosity into creativity and make tinkering possible to generate products from ideas.

NOLITC head Ma. Cristina Orbecido said the provincial government has allocated PHP1.5 million to purchase the equipment for the robotics hub, which include15 robots and 13 laptop units.

“We will train teachers and students. Our aim is to be able to send Negrense students to national and international robotics competitions,” she said.

Starting next week, four batches of students from the province’s third district will attend the Robotics for Kids training.

In 2020, the Negrense Robotics Workshops will be launched to include On-site Robotic Training and Teachers Training. (PNA)


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