Robotics club to accelerate science education in Cumilla

As many as seventeen robotics and programming clubs have been set up in Cumilla with a view to accelerating science education in the district.  Through these robotics clubs, school-going students are being taught the path of creating skilled, knowledge-based science and technology based human resources besides motivating them in science education.  At the same time, initiatives have been taken to create a team of inventors and researchers to cope with the developed world by tackling the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

Comilla Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Kamrul Hasan has taken this initiative to bring out the creative talents of the students who are using computers and mobile phones sitting at home during Covid period to keep them away from the addiction to Facebook and YouTube. Comilla school students are now making robots with the funding of the deputy commissioner. The educations concerned think that his initiative is playing an outstanding role in the development of science and technology based education.

It is mentionable that some 625 students from class six to ten and 39 teachers from 16 educational institutions of Cumilla city have participated in workshops on Science, Mathematics, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in different stages. With the knowledge gained in the workshop, students are preparing themselves for robot making, programming, math Olympiad. Jannatul Ferdous, a student at Nawab Faizunnesa Government Girls' School High School, said, "We don't have any knowledge over robotics and programming. We just listened. Now we are making robots with training."

Rasheda Akhter, headmistress of Comilla Zila School, said, "This has been made possible by the efforts of a science-minded deputy commissioner."ADC (Education and ICT) Nazma Ashrafi said, "After the appointment of Mohammad Kamrul Hasan as deputy commissioner, we have arranged quiz and debate on science. Later, we have set up 17 robotics clubs in 17 upazilas of the district under the direction of the deputy commissioner."

"We have chosen 100 trainee students through a examination for robotics and programming competition which is scheduled to be held on March 17 marking the National Children Day", she added.     Cumilla DC Mohammad Kamrul Hasan said, "The condition of science education at district and upazila level is very fragile. In order to implement 'Vision 2041' announced by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, students need to do well in science and mathematics."

"Students built a robot which will be kept at the entrance on the north side of the deputy commissioner's office. The robot will provides information on various topics to service seekers."  While talking to Dr Abu Jafar Khan, principal of Cumilla Victoria Govt College and president of Cumilla Math Club, he said, "Robot will play a role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We can do our daily work through robots. FabLab is showing students the way to make robots."

---Jahirul Haque Rasel in Cumilla