Collaboration with IEEE UTAS-Student Branch and Robotics Team: Conducting a Community Workshop on “Programming with Code Blocks”

College of Engineering and Technology Department of Engineering IEEE UTAS-Ibra Student Branch

College of Engineering and Technology

Department of Engineering

IEEE UTAS-Ibra Student Branch

Collaboration with IEEE UTAS-Student Branch and Robotics Team: Conducting a Community Workshop on “Programming with Code Blocks”

Under the supervision of Mr. Donnie C. Solano and with the valued support of the Engineering Department—led by Department Head Dr. Sami Ghnimi and Unit Head Dr. Shamganth Kumarapandian (IEEE Organizer)—the IEEE UTAS–Ibra Student Branch and the Robotics Professional Team demonstrated the university’s strong commitment to community service by successfully coordinating with Ms. Zainab Muhammad Al-Maskari of Al-Yahmedi Basic Education School, Ibra, to deliver a robotics workshop on December 11, 2025.

The workshop, conducted from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., engaged more than fifty participants and provided them with both theoretical and practical exposure to robotics and programming. The session began with a comprehensive introductory presentation delivered by UTAS students Mr. Omar Hamood Ahmed Al-Batrani and Mr. Sulaiman Saif Aamir Al-Jahdhami, offering foundational insights into robotics concepts.

This was followed by hands-on activities designed to enhance participants’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills through the application of fundamental programming concepts using Code::Blocks. Each robot component was clearly explained and reinforced through live demonstrations of program development and execution.

To foster active learning and creativity, participants were guided in designing and implementing their own programming solutions for various robot components. Continuous support and mentorship from the facilitators ensured a highly interactive, engaging, and productive learning environment throughout the workshop.

This community service initiative—jointly organized by the Community Education and Community Service (CECS), the IEEE UTAS–Ibra Student Branch, and the Robotics Professional Team—highlights the university’s ongoing efforts to inspire young learners and contribute to the technological advancement of the local community by delivering accessible, practical, and impactful STEM education.