Now that passion has won him and fellow engineering student Arun Ananthakumar the Gold prize in the WorldSkills UK finals.

The pair from Middlesex University now go onto the international contest in the New Year.

They both study mechatronics and robotics at the Hendon campus, and won the top prize in the automation competition held in Manchester.

Omar, who grew up in Finchley and went to Compton School, says robotics are his passion.

“I was learning about electronics since Year 7,” he said. “I have assembled robots in my bedroom ever since. This competition has motivated me to pursue an engineering career.”

The students were tested on their logic, design and fault-finding in building and testing pneumatic and electro-pneumatic circuits, programmable industrial computers and mechanical assembly and wiring.

One was tasked with setting up a “programmable logic” control system and the other with programming it, which they said stretched their knowledge, using technologies they have not yet covered in the college syllabus.

They both said they found the competition “super stressful”, having finished three of their five tasks with just a minute to spare.

Two other Middlesex students in the WorldSkills UK finals were Camila Rey da Rosa and Juan Gonzalez, who have gained MSc degrees in Mechatronics.