Moldova wins at 2024 FIRST Global Challenge Robotics Olympiad

Held in Athens, Greece, from 26th to 29th September, the event saw teams from 193 countries come together to solve real-world problems using robotics. Moldova’s national robotics team emerged as champions, showcasing their innovative skills and determination in a highly competitive global arena.

The team’s first gold medal came in the FIRST Global Winning Alliance, where Moldova joined forces with teams from China, Madagascar, and the Cook Islands. This alliance excelled in the final match of the competition, demonstrating outstanding teamwork and strategic precision.

The second gold medal was awarded to Moldova for Innovation in Engineering, under the prestigious Ustad Ahmad Lahori Award. This accolade is presented to teams that exhibit exceptional creativity and engineering ingenuity. Moldova’s robot impressed judges with its unique design and advanced features, which directly addressed the competition’s theme of ‘Feeding the Future’, focused on creating sustainable food systems.

Moldova’s Minister of Education and Research, Dan Perciun, expressed immense pride in the national team’s accomplishments: “We congratulate our national robotics team for this extraordinary achievement and thank them for once again giving us a sense of pride! At the Ministry of Education, we will continue to support the development of technological skills and creativity among Moldova's students, providing them with learning opportunities comparable to those in other countries. The exceptional results of our national robotics team demonstrate the importance of preparing a generation of young people ready to tackle the challenges and opportunities of a globalised, ever-changing world.”

Team member Vladimir Corduneanu, reflecting on his final year of participation, said: “In my final year at the FIRST Global Challenge, winning the gold for engineering innovation and being part of the winning alliance was truly a dream come true. The competition was full of emotions, and I had the chance to meet amazing people from around the world. I learned how important it is to never give up and to communicate openly, both with those on your side and with those in the opposing camp.”

Another team member, Marta Guțu, highlighted the importance of gender inclusion in technology: “I’m proud to be part of this extraordinary team and hope our success will inspire girls in Moldova to follow their passion for science and technology. We need more girls in engineering – nothing is impossible!”

The Moldovan team’s success is the result of months of hard work by a core group of 12 students and 3 mentors, representing various institutions. Their efforts were supported by the Future Technologies Activity, funded by USAID, Sweden, and UKaid, along with key sponsors such as Premier Energy Distribution and General Asigurări. Moldova’s preparation took place at FabLab Chișinău and the Technical University of Moldova, with logistical support from the National Center for Digital Innovations in Education ‘Future Classroom Lab’. 

Since debuting at the FIRST Global Challenge in 2017, Moldova has consistently delivered strong performances, earning multiple medals, including gold in 2019, 2022, and 2023. This year’s victory solidifies Moldova’s place as a rising leader in global robotics.

Moldova’s educational robotics programme, launched in 2014, has expanded rapidly, with over 270 robotics clubs established in schools and libraries across the country. More than 50,000 students are actively engaged in robotics activities, contributing to a thriving tech community. The country also hosts key robotics competitions, such as the FIRST LEGO League Explore, FIRST LEGO League Challenge, and the pilot FIRST Tech Challenge.