Cambodia Launches 7th Kibo Robot Programming Challenge for Students

Cambodia's Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MPTC) has announced the launch of the 7th Kibo Robot Programming Challenge (Kibo-RPC), inviting Cambodian high school and university students to participate in the coding competition aimed at promoting STEM education and space science. The competition is designed to strengthen participants' knowledge and skills in science, digital technology, engineering, physics and mathematics, while fostering international cooperation in the field of space exploration. Participants will have the opportunity to develop and test coding solutions using a simulator to control robots aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The programme seeks to enhance problem-solving, analytical thinking, teamwork and programming skills, while exposing students to space-related technologies and international collaboration. The competition consists of two categories: a Beginner Level for high school students under the age of 16, and an Intermediate Level for high school or university students with programming knowledge, with no age limit. Applicants must be Cambodian nationals and register in teams of three to six members. Female students are encouraged to participate. Teams are expected to have basic knowledge of Python or C++, attend training sessions or orientations, and comply with the competition rules. Participants will receive technical training and mentoring from experts, gain hands-on experience in robot programming and space science, and build networks with students and specialists from other countries. Winning teams will receive certificates and cash prizes. In the Beginner Level, the first-, second- and third-place teams will receive 6 million Riel (4,000 Riel equal to US$1), 3 million Riel, and 1.4 million Riel, respectively. For the Intermediate Level, the champion team will receive 8 million Riel and earn the opportunity to represent Cambodia at the regional final in Japan. The second- and third-place teams will receive 4 million Riel and 2 million Riel, respectively. An additional incentive of 12 million Riel will be awarded if Cambodia's representative finishes among the Top Five at the regional competition. Students interested in learning more about the programme may register for an information seminar to be held at the MPTC headquarters on Aug. 14, 2026, with registration open until Aug. 7. Applications for the competition are open from now until Sept. 15, 2026. Teams must submit their locally compiled code through the simulator by Jan. 15, 2027. The national competition is scheduled for February 2027, while the regional final will take place in Japan in June 2027. By C. Nika