RAWALPINDI - National Engineering Robotics Contest 2008 was held on Saturday organised by STEM Career Project, HEC and NUST at the College of Electrical & Mechanical Engineering (EME). Rector of NUST Lt. Gen Mohammad Asghar HI (M) was the chief guest of the ceremony. Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest remarked that since every machine these days is a blend of several technologies, Mechatronics Engineering as a new discipline has found widespread acceptance in the world, including a large number of developing countries. In his speech, he congratulated all the participating teams, faculty of Mechatronics Department and the college to make this contest a success. The Commandant of College of Electrical & Mechanical Engineering (EME), Major General Najeeb Tariq, HI (M), declared the final round of the contest open. In his address the commandant congratulated the qualifying teams of the heats. He presented an overview of college organisation and recent activities like Compac, Open House and all Pakistan Software Competition. The Chief Organizer of the contest Lt. Col Dr Javaid Iqbal informed that 78 teams from different engineering universities, colleges and institutes from all over the country participated in the qualifying rounds. The Head of Mechatronics Department, Brig. Dr Akhtar Nawaz Malik, in his opening address, welcomed all the teams and honorable guests. He stated that Mechatronics is a fast-growing discipline of engineering with widespread applications in industry and that the contest is aimed to train the individual for engineering services in Pakistan. The chief guest gave away the prizes to the winning teams of "National Engineering Robotic Contest 2008" (NERC) in the following categories. Winner NERC 2008 Shield with cash prize of Rs.100, 000 was awarded to "S&S" of "EME College NUST", first runner up NERC 2008 Shield with cash prize of Rs.60, 000 was awarded to "3:16" of "EME College NUST" and 2nd runner Up NERC 2008 Shield with cash prize of Rs 50,000 was awarded to "Scorpion" of   "EME College NUST". Two best Engineering Design Award with cash prize of Rs.40, 000 each was awarded to "RKR" of  "EME College NUST" and "Sieg Heil" of "EME College NUST". Winner NERC 2008 Lego Award with cash prize of Rs.20, 000 was awarded to "Pacifier" of "City School", runner up NERC 2008 Lego Award with a cash prize of Rs 10,000 was awarded to "Thunder Cat" of "Bahria College" and Youngest Participant Award with cash prize of Rs 10,000 was awarded to "Maazullah (Class 8th)" of "St. Marry Academy" Four participation Awards (Less NUST Students) Rs. 20,000 each were given to "Robo-X" of "Wah Engineering College", "Pick-n-Dunk Master" of "Sir Syed UET Karachi", "Hitman" of "International Islamic University" and "Anarkali" of " University of Sindh Jamshorro".