A college in Brent is celebrating after two of its students won gold in a national mobile robotics competition for the second year in a row.

Brent & Kilburn Times: Yogdip Raghvani and Kalyan Bojanapu with their gold medalsYogdip Raghvani and Kalyan Bojanapu with their gold medals (Image: Archant)

Kalyan Bojanapu, 16, and Yogdip Raghvani, 19, both from Wembley, led the College of North West London (CNWL) to victory at the WorldSkills UK National Skills Competition Finals.

The pair competed in the three day competition which involved designing a robot and then programming it to carry out different tasks.

The teenagers, who are both studying IT, were able to make the robot move, stop, and complete courses.

The CNWL, which has campuses in Willesden and Wembley, came first last year with Yogdip scooping a bronze medal.

He said: “Last year I got bronze, but to get gold is great. I really enjoy building, engineering and problem solving so this competition was good for me. I want to go on to do something related to programming as a career so mobile robotics is good practice for me.

“I didn’t think we were going to win gold, so I was shocked when our names were read out!”

Both students spent months preparing for the competition by taking part in weekly workshops at the college and spending many hours practicing their mobile robotics skills.

Kalyan said: “I still feel excited to have won. I’ve never entered a competition like this and it was fun to take part, it wasn’t nerve wracking. I think competing helps you learn new skills, and things like how to work under pressure so it’s a great experience.

“I really hope to be able to compete again next year.”

Ali Sharif, their tutor, added: “We’re all so proud of Kalyan and Yogdip. They’ve been preparing for this competition for so long and they’ve shown that hard work does pay off.

“To be awarded the gold medal is a fantastic achievement and one we hope as a college to keep repeating.”