The Journey of Two Talented Engineers Conquering International Robotics Arenas

At PennSchool, Robotics is a playground where intelligence, passion, and creativity shine – opening a journey that empowers students to confidently express themselves in the era of technology. Two outstanding representatives of PennSchool – Vo Tri Thien and Nguyen Phuc Nguyen – have exemplified this spirit through their remarkable experiences at international Robotics competitions this year.

“For me, Robotics is not just a subject, but a journey of self-discovery. Through each project, I’ve realized my love for creativity, logical thinking, and teamwork. Robotics has helped me better define my passion, career direction, and strengthen my confidence.” Shared by Tri Thien.

That passion became the driving force for Tri Thien and his teammates from the Robot Maker TNT Team to achieve Third Place and the prestigious Teamwork & Collaboration Award at the World Robot Olympiad Open Championship Asia & Pacific 2025.

Beyond being a playground for students to showcase their talent, the competition became a meaningful learning experience for him. “Through this journey, I learned how to work effectively in a team, develop creative thinking, improve my robot programming skills, and especially hone my problem-solving abilities under pressure. I realized that failure isn’t the end, but an opportunity to learn and grow stronger.”

Not only did Phuc Nguyen shine at the World Robot Olympiad Open Championship Asia & Pacific 2025, but he also triumphed at the World Robot Contest (WRC), earning a Gold Medal and ranking among the Top 10% highest-scoring teams – a testament to his perseverance and passion for Robotics.

“What I remember most from the World Robot Contest (WRC) was the final moments of the testing round – I had to stay extremely focused to complete the entire track, and I finally did it. For the World Robot Olympiad Open Championship Asia & Pacific 2025, it was those late-night online meetings with our coach, who guided us remotely. After each session, our team carefully checked the robot, backed up our code to a spare laptop, and ensured the batteries were fully charged. But more than that, it was the excitement and thrill of competing against teams from around the world that made the experience unforgettable.”

Looking back, Phuc Nguyen realized that the greatest value he gained went far beyond the awards: “I learned how to work effectively as a team, where members listen, share, support, and respect each other’s opinions. I improved my time management, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills under time pressure. I also enhanced my English skills significantly by communicating with coaches and international teams. Most importantly, the competition gave me great motivation to continue pursuing my passion for Robotics and my dream of using technology to improve lives.”

The competition became a meaningful learning experience for him. “Through this journey, I learned how to work effectively in a team, developed creative thinking, improved my robot programming skills, and especially honed my problem-solving abilities under pressure. I realized that failure isn’t the end, but an opportunity to learn and grow stronger.”

When asked what message he would share with other #HomeOfTheEagles who dream of joining this competition, Phuc Nguyen said confidently: “If you’re thinking about joining a Robotics competition, start now! You don’t have to be perfect to begin, but you do have to begin to become perfect. Practice makes perfect. If I can do it, surely you can too.”

The journey of Vo Tri Thien and Nguyen Phuc Nguyen is not only marked by their achievements but also by their thirst for learning, perseverance, and endless passion for technology. Their heartfelt stories will surely inspire fellow #HomeOfTheEagles to keep exploring, creating, and shining on their own paths in the exciting world of Robotics.