BACOLOD City – The government-run Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center (NOLITC) has launched the Negrense Robotics and Intelligence Machines Program as part of its innovative course offerings for Negrenses.
The move established the province as the host of the first robotics training center in Western Visayas, and the first local government in the country to support a learning center for robotics.
“I consider today as a good day for Negros Occidental for we start advancing ways to empower and enable our people through Negrense Robotics,” Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said.
The NOLITC has partnered with Pinoy Robot Games headed by founder Melvin Matulac for the conduct of training for teachers and students.
“I have yet to find someone from Region 6, or from Negros (who was) with me in an international contest. That’s why we went down to Visayas and Mindanao because the medalists are all in Luzon. None from Region 6. I would like to see that happen,” Matulac said.
He added the NOLITC training and workshops will augment the learning of students and make teachers as “champions” of robotics.
Through the Negrense Robotics and Intelligence Machines Program, the fundamental skills of young Negrense trainees will be honed in the emerging fields of automation, instrumentation and robotics industry.
The NOLITC, through the robotics training center, will provide a space for innovators and leaders to convert their curiosity into creativity and make tinkering possible to generate products from ideas.
According to NOLITC head Ma. Cristina Orbecido, the provincial government allocated P1.5 million to purchase the equipment for the robotics hub that include 15 robots and 13 laptop units.
“We will train teachers and students. Our aim is to be able to send Negrense students to national and international robotics competitions,” she said.
Starting next week, four batches of students from the province’s third district will attend the Robotics for Kids training.
In 2020, the Negrense Robotics Workshops will be launched to include On-site Robotic Training and Teachers Training. (With a report from PNA/PN)
