- The grand finale of the mentor-based program FTC India 2011 – 2012 witnessed over 100 participants from different parts of India for the Robotic Competition -
Pune – 20th February, 2012: PTC (NASDAQ: PMTC), the product development company, today extended its congratulations to the award winning team at the grand finale of FIRST® Tech Challenge India 2011 – 2012 Robotic Competition held at the Shiv Chhatrapati Stadium, Balewadi, Pune. In riposte to the call to bolster STEM education in India among the children and to build the innovators of tomorrow, PTC launched the Second Season of FIRST® Tech Challenge on June 8th2011 in Mumbai, in partnership with FIRST® and Techtronics Education. This season of FTC India culminated with the finale in Pune on 19th February 2012.
A competition like FIRST® Tech Challenge is instrumental in providing students the opportunity to exhibit and hone their creative talent under the supervision of industry experts while providing an international platform for students who wish to contribute and excel in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. This year’s competition saw a significant traction from the students, academicians, noted Scientists and social Enthusiasts.
With over 10, 000 students participating from all over India the competition based on the game Bowled Over! was a huge success. The winners of this competition, Team S.M. Tech from St. Mary’s High School, Pune will now have the opportunity to travel to USA and compete with students from across the globe at the FTC World Championship in April 2012.
“We are extremely proud and happy to hold FIRST® Tech Challenge in India to help in cultivating the engineers for tomorrow, who would address the imperative demands of the future. The atmosphere at the venue was filled with enthusiasm and the diligence with which the students were working and the team spirit was commendable. With India now thriving to be a land of innovation at a global platform competitions like the FIRST® Tech Challenge will help us create budding innovators”, said Rafiq Somani, Area Vice President and Country Manager, PTC India.
“PTC is so pleased to be a Founding Partner of the FIRST® Tech Challenge in India,” said John D. Stuart, Senior VP Global Education for PTC. “As India transforms its economy to an innovation society, the Engineers of the Future get real world hands-on experience through the FTC competition. Designing, building and competing in FTC are similar to the same challenges industry meets. For example, John Deere has been a big sponsor of this event and NRB Bearings Ltd was a Founding Partner for FIRST® in India. These students learn skills that one day may transfer into working for Deere or NRB!”
Ashvin Savant, India Education Program Manager, PTC India said “FTC India 2011-12 National Robotics competition has provided the right platform for students to learn and implement the STEM-D concepts. Principals have confirmed 10-12% increase in student’s academic performance.”
“Students and Teachers were excited for building and programming the robot. They spent almost 8/10 hours daily in the final phase to fine tune the robot. More than winning, the team spirit was really great amongst the youngsters,” said Vinay Kunwar, Managing Director, Habib Animatos Pvt. Ltd.
Mr. Sudhanshu Sharma, MD Techtronics Education (India) Limited, said at the event, “Techtronics Education is proud to be associated as the operational partner of the FIRST® Tech Challenge India and is committed to the core cause of learning by doing, and bring FTC to all major cities in India in the coming years with active Corporate partnership”.
Rtn. Amit Jadhav, President Rotary Club of Poona Midtown said, “at the outset let me thank PTC and the entire Education Team in India with Techtronics and Habib Animatos, who have joined hands with us to bring technology to school and unlock creative minds of young India. Next year this competition will get bigger and Rotary will be active in taking it to their Interact Schools and get them engaged.”
“Rotary District 3131 is proud to present the first of its kind, innovative ROBOTIC competition for school children. Thanks to the initiative by Rtn Amit Jadhav,President of Rotary Club of Poona Midtown and co operation from PTC. It is my earnest appeal-kindly attend in large numbers with your children and help ENGINEERING their and nations future,” said Rtn. Mohan Palesha, District Governor.
About FIRST®
Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST® designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. With support from three out of every five Fortune 500 companies and more than $12 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST®® Robotics Competition (FRC® ) and FIRST®® Tech Challenge (FTC® ) for high-school students, FIRST®® LEGO® League (FLL® ) for 9 to 14-year-olds, (9 to 16-year-olds outside the U.S. and Canada) and Junior FIRST®® LEGO® League (Jr.FLL™) for 6 to 9-year-olds. Gracious Professionalism™ is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST®, go to www.usFIRST®.org.
