News DeskDubai: Team UAE made history at the 2025 FIRST Global Challenge, bringing home the Gold Medal after competing against teams from 193 countries. The international robotics competition, held in Panama City from October 28 to November 1, is often described as the Olympics of Robotics.
The eight-member team, representing the UAE with distinction, was felicitated in a glittering ceremony on Saturday in recognition of their remarkable achievement. The students spent over 300 hours in rigorous preparation, supported by Unique World Robotics, the official training partner for Team UAE.
The team comprised Riya Mehra (Dubai College), Aarya Parekh (Delhi Private School, Sharjah), Aarush Pancholi (GEMS Modern Academy), Aditya Anand (New Millennium School, Al Khail), Krithin Satya (Dubai College), Simran Mehra (Dubai College), Sreya Binoy Nair (GEMS Modern Academy), and Aryan Goyal (DIA Emirates Hill).
Coach Muhammed Mukhtar lauded the students’ dedication, saying, “This victory is a testament to the extraordinary dedication and ingenuity of our young innovators. They have made the nation proud and shown that UAE students can compete at the highest level on the global stage.”
Team UAE’s winning project, STASH, is a cutting-edge biopreservation system designed to protect endangered species such as the Ghaf tree without the need for freezing or electricity. Using sodium alginate hydrogels, the system encapsulates living cells in low-cost, portable beads that maintain viability for 3–5 days. The kit is integrated with AI-based cell viability analysis and a 3D-printed field setup, providing a sustainable, globally inclusive method for preserving life.
The project was evaluated by an international panel of experts, including professors from MIT and scientists from Lam Research, who praised its innovation and real-world applicability.
Reflecting on the journey, Team Captain Aarush Pancholi said, “Winning Gold was the result of countless hours of collaboration, experimentation, and teamwork. We are proud not just of the medal, but of creating a solution that can truly make a difference for biodiversity and communities worldwide.”
Bansan Thomas George, National Organiser of FIRST Global Challenge UAE, added, “Team UAE’s victory reflects the nation’s long-standing commitment to STEM education and youth innovation. Their work on STASH demonstrates not only technical brilliance but also a vision for sustainable solutions that can benefit the world.”
The achievement stands as a symbol of the UAE’s investment in nurturing its future innovators, inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and environmental pioneers.
