National Robotics Program: Moldova invests €5,100 per team for international excellence
Three student teams will represent the Republic of Moldova at prestigious international robotics competitions in the United States and the Netherlands. The finalists emerged from a national pool of 250 students who designed and programmed autonomous robots for the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Moldova.
The winning team, composed of high school students from Chisinau, secured their spot for the World Championship in Houston, Texas. Their engineering solution featured a high-precision robot capable of complex ball-handling and accurate projectile launching, impressing judges with its technical sophistication.
Engineering rigor and innovation
"Our chassis uses laser-cut aluminum and extensive 3D-printed components," explained student Artur Daraban. The team dedicated three months to design and nearly a month of rigorous midnight assembly sessions, often remaining in their laboratory from 08:00 to 20:00 to perfect the machine's mechanics.
Team Enigma also secured a victory, qualifying for the FIRST Global Challenge. Their robot features an advanced autonomous mode, allowing it to complete complex field missions without human intervention—a critical benchmark for international competitive standards.
Strategic investment in STEM
The Moldovan government is backing these achievements with tangible resources. Each of the 16 winning teams received a grant of €5,100 (approx. 100,000 MDL) to fund further development and implementation of their technological projects.
Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu emphasized the strategic importance of the event, stating that innovation and teamwork are permanent assets in a rapidly changing world. "The next Steve Jobs or Bill Gates could be among you," the Premier noted during the awards ceremony.
The FTC Moldova regional finals, held on February 21-22, operated under the National Educational Robotics Program. The initiative is overseen by the Ministry of Education and Research in partnership with the National Agency for Curriculum and Evaluation.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
