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I'm Cesar Ortega-Sanchez, Senior Lecturer in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Four years ago, I started the Curtin Robotics Club.
Robotics is a very 'sexy' word for students. It makes you feel you are part of the future, now.
It all started when I noticed how much time and enthusiasm students put into the crazy machine project in one of my units.
The idea of the robotics club is to provide a space where students have the opportunity
to play with the toys and learn valuable professional skills at the same time.
In the club, students learn from each other, not only how to build robots, but also how to work in teams to solve problems.
It's fantastic to see the gleam in all the students' eyes as they pass on
their knowledge and experience to younger students.
The club is also heavily involved in Curtin's Robofair, and in robotics competitions.
We have successfully participated in local and national competitions, as well as the iNexus Challenge,
an international competition hosted by Curtin with the finals held at the Indian Institute of Technology in Bombay.
The secret to the club's success is the sense of shared purpose with like-minded people.
However, the club also encourages interaction with other faculties.
Recently, a fashion student working with a club member together came up with a remote-controlled dress,
which ended up attracting national media coverage when it featured in a Melbourne fashion show.
The Robotics club is a wonderful thing that's open to anyone, and as you can see, it could lead anywhere.