Launching the "A Year of Robotics 2024" program and the VEX Robotics National Championship 2024.

On July 12th, the American Center Hanoi and the American Center Ho Chi Minh City (under the U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Vietnam), together with Hanoi University of Science and Technology, launched the “A Year of Robotics 2024” program and the VEX Robotics National Championship 2024.

The "A Year of Robotics 2024" program and the VEX Robotics National Championship 2024 were launched on July 12th in Hanoi . (Source: STEAM for Vietnam)

With a mission to help Vietnamese students develop essential skills for the future and become competitive in the global market through a solid early STEAM education, STEAM for Vietnam, the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, and their partners have launched the “A Year of Robotics 2023” program. STEAM for Vietnam has chosen to teach using the VEX IQ Robotics kit, the most advanced educational robotics components in the U.S., thus providing Vietnamese students with access to international standards completely free of charge. Over 2,000 students, 500 teachers, and 150 schools have had the opportunity to learn and receive free robotics training through the CS 201 course: Introduction to Robotics Programming with VEX IQ. In May 2023, for the first time in history, 19 Vietnamese robotics teams participated in the VEX IQ category at the world's largest robotics championship, the VEX Robotics World Championship 2023 in Texas, USA. Vietnam ranked 5th globally in the number of international teams participating in the VEX Robotics World Championship 2023 in its first appearance and won 5 major awards. To achieve this, over 150 teams from more than 30 provinces and cities across the country, including remote provinces such as Yen Bai , Lao Cai, and Dong Thap, participated in the VEX IQ National Championship 2023 organized by STEAM for Vietnam, the US Centers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (under the US Embassy and Consulates in Vietnam), and Hanoi University of Science and Technology in February 2023. Following the success of the “A Year of Robotics 2023” program, STEAM for Vietnam, the U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Vietnam, and Hanoi University of Science and Technology are continuing to organize the “A Year of Robotics 2024” program. The program aims not only to bring modern robotics education to Vietnamese students completely free of charge and to enable Vietnamese talent to compete internationally, but also to equip teachers nationwide with comprehensive robotics knowledge. Recognizing the crucial importance of local teachers, the nationwide intensive teacher training program, “Train the Trainers,” is one of STEAM for Vietnam’s flagship programs in 2023. This program includes an online resource library of training courses, lecture content, materials from VEX Robotics, and direct teacher training sessions from VEX Robotics experts within the framework of the “STEAMese Festival” in August 2023. The program aims to enhance professional skills in programming and assembling VEX IQ Robotics, and to provide teachers with resources and a supportive community to confidently teach VEX IQ. Furthermore, following the success of the Robotics and VEX IQ training program for elementary and secondary school students, the CS 202: Introduction to Robotics Programming with VEX V5 training program for high school students nationwide is scheduled to be held in Fall 2023. STEAM for Vietnam, the US Center in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and partners aim for higher goals, selecting 40 Vietnamese teams in the VIQRC and VRC categories to qualify for the VEX Robotics World Championship 2024 in Texas, USA.

A STEAM class as part of the Robotics training program with VEX IQ. (Source: STEAM for Vietnam)

The 2024 VEX National Robotics Championship is a nationwide event for all students passionate about robotics, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or geographical location. The goal of the tournament is to help students hone essential skills for the future and provide them with the opportunity to compete internationally. Organized according to REC Foundation standards, the tournament aims to select 40 Vietnamese teams to qualify for the world's largest robotics competition, the VEX Robotics World Championship 2024. The tournament is expected to attract over 300 teams in the VIQRC category and 50 teams in the VRC category. The tournament is co-organized by STEAM for Vietnam, the American Center in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (under the U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Vietnam), and Hanoi University of Science and Technology, and is scheduled to take place in January 2024 in Hanoi. The 2024 VEX Robotics National Championship features two competition categories: VIQRC, using VEX IQ robots, for elementary and secondary school students (under 15 years old), and VRC, using VEX V5 robots, for high school and secondary school students (under 19 years old). The official challenge for the 2023-2024 VEX Robotics season is the Full Volume challenge for VIQRC and the Over Under challenge for VRC. Teams will compete in several challenges: Teamwork Challenge, Driving Skills Challenge, and Programming Skills Challenge. Applications for the 2024 VEX Robotics National Championship will open in July 2023 and officially launch in September 2023 with a series of exchange activities with schools nationwide organized by STEAM for Vietnam. Furthermore, STEAM for Vietnam will build a library of exclusive training materials from VEX Robotics and a series of workshops connecting robotics experts with teams to enhance students' professional knowledge and competitive skills. In addition, STEAM for Vietnam will organize training sessions on how to organize friendly VEX Robotics competitions according to REC Foundation standards, enabling schools nationwide to independently organize such competitions and providing students with more opportunities to practice and compete. The 2024 VEX Robotics National Championship and the "A Year of Robotics 2024" project strongly demonstrate STEAM for Vietnam's mission to equip Vietnam's future generation with a robust, world-class STEAM education and cutting-edge technology to compete globally.

The VEX Robotics National Championship 2024 will open registration in July 2023 and officially kick off in September 2023 with a series of exchange activities with schools nationwide organized by STEAM for Vietnam. (Source: STEAM for Vietnam)

Dr. Tran Viet Hung, co-founder of STEAM for Vietnam, shared: “We are delighted that students in all regions of Vietnam now have the opportunity to learn and participate in challenges no different from those faced by students in developed countries like the United States. We hope that through experiences like this competition, they will gradually acquire the skills and experience to compete in the global job market in the future.” Cameron Thomas Shah, Spokesperson for the U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Vietnam, shared: “This year, the United States and Vietnam celebrate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of our Comprehensive Partnership. This framework includes cooperation in education, science, and technology. The U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Vietnam, through the U.S. Centers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, is committed to cherishing this partnership by providing educational opportunities to help Vietnamese students compete in the global economy , especially in the STEAM field. This year’s VEX National Robotics Championship, building on last year’s success, is a significant milestone.” It is understood that the University of Technology will provide resources and support for the tournament and will partner with STEAM for Vietnam in its mission to create a future generation of global engineers. Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Phong Dien - Vice Rector of the University of Technology, affirmed that "The Vietnam VEX Robotics National Championship 2024 and the 'A Year of Robotics 2024' project are very much in line with the goal of promoting STEM education to students, aiming to attract their interest in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Cybernetics, and Programming to enroll at the University of Technology, thereby improving the quality of incoming students."

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