National University emerged victorious in the 1st Mechatronics and Robotics Olympics organized and held at the DOST-MIRDC office in Taguig City last June 3-4, 2016.

National U Team 1, fifth year ECE students Salvador Palatan Jr. and Kenjie Sabido were named champions in the Mechatronics practical competition while NU’s Team 2 composed of Danreil Dueñas and Niño Pitogo were hailed as the first runner-up.

Team 1 received a plaque and cash prize worth P10,000 while Team 2 went home with P5,000 and a plaque.

NU bested 8 other teams; 3 from Mapua Institute of Technology, and one each from De La Salle University, Lyceum of the Philippines University, University of Perpetual Help, Technological University of the Philippines and Bulacan State University.

According to NU professor and team coach Rafael Dimaculangan, teams were tasked to build a miniature manufacturing system where they did the actual wiring, programming and system set-up. Dimaculangan added that the machines the NU students built were the only ones who worked during the presentation.

“I’m proud of our students, because I can see their interest in the subject and in automation, kasi if you have knowledge in Mechatronics, that’s a big thing.” Dimaculangan said.

He also lauded the students’ dedication and effort adding they trained everyday for two weeks; most of those are conducted in the evening because the students are also working in their internship.

Dimaculangan said the students’ success is a huge accomplishment for the College of Engineering and the university not only because they won, but also because of the respect they gained from large organizations such as Mechatronics and Robotics Society of the Philippines (MRSP) – one of the organizers of the said competition and the universities that participated in the prestigious competition.