The National University Championship for Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (NURAI 2026) is a premier national platform designed to foster a permanent ecosystem for applied innovation in robotics and AI across Iraqi universities. Sponsored by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the championship aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and the knowledge economy by empowering students to transform their creative ideas into real-world solutions that serve society.

 

The championship features six diverse innovation tracks:

• Medical: AI applications in diagnosis and treatment.

• Agricultural: Smart farming solutions and water sustainability.

• Industrial: Automation and enhancing production efficiency.

• Environmental: Innovations for pollution control and sustainability.

• Education: Smart educational tools and innovative training methods.

• Community Service: Technical solutions for daily societal challenges.

Participation Details:
Competitors, referred to as “Competition Knights,” consist of teams comprising 3 to 5 undergraduate students, one academic supervisor, and an optional graduate from the last two to three years to provide practical expertise. Projects are evaluated based on several criteria, including innovation and originality (20%), algorithms and AI logic (20%), societal impact (20%), technical performance (15%), documentation (15%), and overall design (10%).

Important Timeline:

 

• April 1, 2026: Deadline for team formation and initial registration.

• July 1, 2026: Deadline for complete project submission, including the prototype.

• July 2, 2026: Commencement of project evaluations at the university and college levels.

• August 1, 2027: Announcement of winners and the final national ceremony in Baghdad.

Interested participants can register and find more information at the official website: https://nurai.utq.edu.iq/