Indian-Origin Students Lead UAE Team to Gold at 2025 FIRST Global Robotics Olympics with Innovative Bio-Preservation System

The esteemed FIRST Global Challenge competition took place in Panama City. (Image posted on X by @F1RSTglobal)

A team from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), comprised of Indian-origin students, has secured the gold medal at the 2025 FIRST Global Challenge, commonly referred to as the "Olympics of Robotics".

This prestigious international competition was hosted in Panama City from October 28 to November 1, featuring participating teams from more than 190 countries worldwide.

This remarkable achievement represents the first time in 36 years that the UAE has earned the top honor at this global robotics competition.

The gold medal-winning team consisted of Riya Mehra, Aarya Parekh, Aarush Pancholi, Aditya Anand, Krithin Satya, Simran Mehra, Sreya Binoy Nair, and Aryan Goyal. All team members are students of Indian heritage currently attending schools in the UAE.

During a celebration event held in Dubai on Saturday, Team Captain Aarush Pancholi stated, "This win is the result of endless teamwork, dedication, and the desire to build something meaningful for the planet."

Their award-winning project, 'STASH', represents an innovative bio-preservation system designed to protect endangered species such as the Ghaf tree without requiring freezing methods or electricity.

The team utilized a specialized jelly-like substance called sodium alginate hydrogel to safely store and preserve plant cells. To enhance their process, they implemented AI technology to analyze the cells and developed a 3D-printed kit suitable for field use.

Experts from MIT and Lam Research expressed significant admiration for the concept, commending the students for developing a simple, cost-effective, and scientifically sound solution capable of preserving critical species.

"We are proud not just of the medal, but of creating a solution that can truly make a difference for biodiversity and communities worldwide," Pancholi further remarked.

Muhammed Mukhtar, who coached the team, commented, "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."

The FIRST Global Challenge was established in 2016 by Dean Kamen, a renowned US entrepreneur and engineer famous for inventing the Segway Human Transport device.