Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan Meets Hamdan Center for Giftedness and Innovation Team Ahead of FLL World Finals in Houston
His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan Al Maktoum, Supreme President of the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, met with the student team from the Hamdan Bin Rashid Center for Giftedness and Innovation ahead of their participation in the First Lego League (FLL) World Finals in Houston, USA.
The meeting, held at the Foundation’s headquarters in Dubai, honored the team’s exceptional achievement in advancing to the global stage after securing victories in both local and national robotics competitions. The team’s success marks a significant milestone in the UAE’s continued investment in youth innovation and STEM education.
Present at the gathering were Her Excellency Aisha Miran, Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), and Dr. Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of the Foundation. Sheikh Rashid interacted with the students and their administrative and technical mentors, reviewing their project and preparations for the international finals. He praised their efforts, determination, and excellence, and expressed confidence that the team would represent the UAE with honor and distinction.
“This achievement reflects the scientific ambition and creativity of our youth,” Sheikh Rashid stated. “Their dedication is a testament to the future potential of the UAE in the fields of science, engineering, and innovation.”
The student team earned a place at the FLL World Finals after excelling in national competitions, which featured 169 teams from across the Emirates. The competitions were conducted in two stages, with 40 teams advancing to the final round. Judging criteria included robot design and programming, innovative engineering aligned with the year’s marine life and preservation theme, and values such as teamwork, collaboration, and creativity.
At the local level, the Hamdan Center team won first place in both the Robot Game and Robot Design categories, and secured second place in the Champion’s Award. At the national level, they were crowned Champion’s Award winners and placed second in the Robot Game category.
Team members expressed pride in their journey and shared their excitement for representing the UAE on the global stage. They emphasized their commitment to refining their skills and presenting a compelling and impactful project to an international panel of judges.
