Malaysia To Host 2012 World Robotics Olympiad

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will host the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) in Kuala Lumpur from Nov 9-12. Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin who attended the pre-launch of the WRO said the opportunity to host the WRO must be optimized by producing more competent students in the field of science and technology. "I hope the Education Ministry can form 50 robotic clubs and equip them with the necessary skills to compete against competitors from other countries during the WRO," Muhyiddin who is also the Education Minister said in a statement. Four hundred participants from 40 countries are expected to participate in the 2012 WRO. Muhyiddin also launched the official website for the WRO, www.wro2012.org which will provide all the necessary information about the event. WRO is an annual competition held since 2004 and provides an opportunity for winners of the national level competition organised by the Education Ministry, Sasbadi Sdn Bhd and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. Since 2004, Malaysia has clinched the overall title twice, in 2009 and 2010, and has also won seven gold, eight silver, five bronze medals plus 21 excellence awards. -- BERNAMA