Engineering Technical College–Najaf at Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University Participates in the Qualifying Rounds of the Technovation Global Championship
Under the patronage of the President of Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, Professor Dr. Hassan Latif Al-Zubaidi, and the supervision of the Dean of the Engineering Technical College–Najaf, Professor Dr. Hassanein Ghani Al-Husseini, the Programming Club Unit, in cooperation with the Continuing Education Unit at the Engineering Technical College–Najaf and the Ibdaa Smart Skills Club, participated in the qualifying rounds of the First Educational Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and Inventions Competition in Iraq and the Middle East, held as part of the Technovation Global Championship series.
The championship is organized in more than thirty countries worldwide under the supervision of the International Council for Automation, Innovation and Robotics (AICRA) and the International Federation of Esports and Robotics (IFES), in partnership with the Robotics Academy Center and the Iraqi Engineers Association – Najaf Branch, and under the patronage of the Minister of Communications, Engineer Mustafa Jabbar Al-Sand. The event reflects Iraq’s ongoing efforts to keep pace with technological advancements, smart education trends, and the growing global reliance on programming and artificial intelligence technologies.
The competition was attended by the Chairman of the Najaf Provincial Council, Dr. Hussein Al-Issawi; the representative of the Ministry of Communications, Mr. Amir Abdullah Al-Shammari; Provincial Council Member Ms. Hiba Al-Koufi; Mr. Ali Saleh Al-Hilu, member of the Programmers Syndicate in Najaf; in addition to a number of official, academic, and technology-focused figures.
More than 400 participants from 12 Iraqi provinces took part in the local competition, while over 10 international participants representing four teams from neighboring countries competed at the international level.
The championship witnessed an enthusiastic atmosphere and remarkable interaction among participants, who showcased their projects and innovations in robotics, artificial intelligence, and inventions. The event attracted a large number of students and young innovators from across Iraq, as well as a delegation from the Islamic Republic of Iran. The championship aims to support young talents, promote a culture of innovation and technological creativity, and prepare a generation capable of keeping pace with technological developments and contributing to a more advanced and prosperous future.
Eight teams of school students, trained by faculty members of the College through several training courses organized under the “1001 Digital Child Initiative,” participated in the competition. In addition, a university-level team consisting of fourth-year students from the Department of Communications Technologies Engineering represented the College.
Associate Professor Dr. Alia Abdul Hussein Lafta, Head of the Programming Club Unit, and Engineer Fatima Mohammed Kadhim, Head of the Continuing Education Unit, also participated as judges in the championship’s seven competitions, which were held at the Culture and Development Palace in Najaf Governorate on 7–8 June 2026.
The most notable achievements of the Programming Club Unit at the Engineering Technical College–Najaf, representing Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University and supported by its strategic partner, the Ibdaa Smart Skills Club, included:
• First Place in the Innovation Competition (Beginner Category)
• Second Place in the Innovation Competition (Beginner Category)
• First Place in the Dash Robot Path Challenge
• Fourth Place in the Dash Robot Path Challenge
• Second Place in the Line-Following Robot Competition
• Third, Fourth, and Fifth Places in the Robot Soccer Competition
• The university team (fourth-year students from the Department of Communications Technologies Engineering) received the Sustainable University Award in recognition of its project’s alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) according to international standards.
The judging committees highly praised the university team, describing it as an outstanding example of the promising youth found within Iraqi universities.
It is worth noting that the teams achieving the top three positions qualified to compete in the World Championship, which will be held in the United Arab Emirates in 2026.
