The Albany Technical College Titan Alliance Robotics Team represented Albany Technical College and Southwest Georgia at the 2026 Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) ROV World Championship held June 23-27, 2026, in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

Hosted by the Marine Institute of Memorial University and the National Research Council (NRC), the international competition brought together 86 of the world's top student underwater robotics teams representing 20 countries to compete in one of the most recognized student robotics and technology competitions in the world.

Titan Alliance team members participating in the championship included Favin Grear, Dion Flint, Jayden Jenkins, and Team Captain Nevous Morgan.

For Albany Technical College students, the opportunity represented more than a competition. It gave them the chance to apply classroom knowledge on a larger scale, demonstrate technical and professional skills before international judges, and show how hands-on technical education prepares students for emerging careers in engineering, robotics, advanced manufacturing, marine technology, and related STEM fields.

Despite significant challenges during the competition, including damage sustained to their remotely operated vehicle during transportation and unexpected technical issues, the Titan Alliance team demonstrated perseverance and professionalism. Their determination earned them Second Place in the Guts and Glory Award, presented to the individual or team that best exemplifies resilience, determination, and resolve in overcoming adversity during the competition.

"This was a meaningful opportunity for our students to take what they learned at Albany Technical College and demonstrate it on an international stage," said Dr. Emmett L. Griswold, President of Albany Technical College. "The Titan Alliance Robotics Team represented the talent, discipline, and innovation we see every day in our students. We were pleased to see them carry the Albany Tech name, and the State of Georgia, into this level of competition."

Under the guidance of Dennis Courtney, Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology at Albany Technical College, the Titan Alliance Robotics Team spent the season designing, refining, testing, and preparing its underwater robotics system for competition. The team also completed technical documentation and participated in presentation and question-and-answer judging components as part of the championship process.

"The excitement around this team continued to build because our students put in the work," said Courtney. "They approached this project with engineering focus, teamwork, professionalism, and persistence. Competing at the MATE World Championship gave them the chance to measure their skills against some of the best student underwater robotics teams in the world."

"Walking into the 2026 MATE ROV World Championship, we faced challenge after challenge, but those obstacles taught us that resilience, teamwork, and determination can overcome almost anything," said Morgan. "Competing alongside and learning from teams around the world showed me that engineering is about far more than building robots - it's about building relationships, solving problems together, and discovering that your future is limited only by your willingness to keep pushing forward."

Morgan is a soon-to-be graduate of Albany Technical College's Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology Associate of Science degree program. Following graduation, he will transfer to Kennesaw State University this fall to continue pursuing a bachelor's degree in engineering.

Building on the experience gained at the World Championship, the Titan Alliance Robotics Team is already preparing for the 2027 season, including planned competition at the SkillsUSA State and National Championships and a return to the MATE ROV World Championship in Seattle, Washington, next June.

The Titan Alliance Robotics Team thanked the community and Albany Technical College for their support. Funding for this initiative was made possible through the TEAAMS initiative, Teaching Empowering African American Males To Succeed, led by Dr. Quanta Bell.

For more information about Albany Technical College programs, visit www.albanytech.edu.