UNDP, Government of Azerbaijan launch the first robotics lab for children

November 16, 2018

Photo: Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies. Introducing junior high-school students to the first Arduino robotics lab in Azerbaijan. 16 November 2018, secondary school #23. Baku, Azerbaijan.

Baku, 16 November 2018 – In the era of global digitalisation, the growing demand for technological innovation for development informs the need for a more robust thinking and creative educational initiatives. Tapping on this demand, UNDP and the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies have launched today the first in the country robotics lab based on an internationally acclaimed Arduino platform –the world-class educational facility designed for both novices and professionals wishing to enhance their knowledge of computer science and robotic technologies.

Until the present moment, the Arduino platform was not available in Azerbaijan. Aiming to help young students master robotics science right from school, the brand new RoboLab will provide students in grades 7-8-9-10-11 with robotics kits that will enhance their competencies in programming, mechanics and electronics while also boosting their learning curve in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Recognising the pivotal role of the Internet and digital technologies in holistic development efforts, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Azerbaijan Mr. Alessandro Fracassetti noted at the opening of the RoboLab today: “Sustainable development goals, which guide the UNDP programmes and initiatives and are the blueprint development agenda for governments and societies across the globe, cannot be achieved without affordable and universal access to ICTs.” In a world where more than 4 billion people –and 90 percent of them coming from developing countries –still do not have access to the Internet, introducing communities to robotic education from an early age has the potential to significantly bridge the digital divide. With enhanced robotics literacy and tech skills, young girls and boys will have better access to information and knowledge and will become the driving force behind innovation and entrepreneurship.   

With the inception of this first-of-its-kind Arduino RoboLab in one of Baku’s most prominent schools and the pioneer of robotics facilities in Azerbaijan –the secondary school #23, Azerbaijan’s young generation of tech-savvy learners will be able to create self-control systems, motors, robots, and many more.  Appointed with the cutting-edge Arduino technology and Lego Kit teaching laboratory, the RoboLab is fully equipped with electronic tools and robotics appliances by Sumaks Technologies, a local start-up, which specialises in offering Internet of Things (IoT) and hardware solutions through machine-to-machine (M2M) technologies. To facilitate the most robust and structured learning process at the RoboLab, Sumaks Technologies has assigned a designated team of two instructors who will be closely working with students of school #23 and monitoring their academic progress on a daily basis.

The first Arduino RoboLab in Azerbaijan was established as part of UNDP’s ongoing project on the modernisation of sustainability and efficiency of the ICT infrastructure and services in the Republic of Azerbaijan implemented jointly and with substantial financial support from the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies.

Contact information:

For questions, please contact Arzu Jafarli, Communications and External Relations Analyst for UNDP in Azerbaijan at arzu.jafarli@undp.org