JOHOR BAHRU, 25 May 2025 – Innovation never stops at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) as the Faculty of Electrical Engineering successfully concluded the second stage of its ‘Robotics for All’ (RFA) program, held on 24-25 May 2025. This initiative, building upon the initial session from April 2025, aimed to cultivate academic excellence and foster a passion for STEM, particularly robotics, among secondary school students.
The program unfolded across six different locations – SMK Taman Molek, SMK Dato Penggawa Timur, SMK Mutiara Rini, SMK Damai Jaya, SMK Taman Tun Aminah, and SMK Tanjung Adang. A total of 108 students and 12 teachers from these schools participated, guided by 18 dedicated UTM student facilitators from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering.
The two-day intensive program focused on equipping students with essential skills in robotics and programming. Day one immersed participants in hands-on learning, emphasizing code programming and the practical implementation of robotic functions. The core curriculum centered on enabling robots to perform line-following and obstacle-avoidance tasks. Students moved from theoretical knowledge to practical application, testing and refining their algorithms in real-time. This process allowed them to gain valuable experience in debugging, calibration, and iterative problem-solving – critical skills in the field of robotics.
On the second day, the students participated in a mini competition held on a custom-designed game field. Working collaboratively, teams programmed their robots to autonomously navigate the field, overcoming both line-following paths and obstacles. The competition reinforced technical skills and cultivated essential soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and time management.
The success of Group A’s session sets the stage for the upcoming session for Group B, scheduled for June 21–22, 2025. This session will replicate the interactive and challenge-based format, offering a fresh cohort of students the chance to build upon core robotics concepts through hands-on programming and team-based competition. The ‘Robotics for All’ program exemplifies UTM’s commitment to nurturing future innovators and contributing to Malaysia’s technological advancement, aligning with global trends in STEM education that emphasize practical skills and collaborative problem-solving. Similar educational robotics programs have been shown to significantly improve students’ engagement and understanding of complex engineering concepts.
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By: Ts. Dr. Noorhazirah Binti Sunar, Jabatan Kejuruteraan Kawalan dan Mekatronik, Fakulti Kejuruteraan Elektrik
