Robotic Bootcamp 2023 attracts students to explore STEM fields

PEKAN, 21 August 2023 - Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), in collaboration with Sekolah Kebangsaan Assunta Convent, for the first time organised the Professor Turun Padang Programme with the concept of Robotic Bootcamp 2023 which will last for three days starting today.

The programme also involved the participation of four schools in the Kuantan district, namely Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Assunta Convent, SK St. Thomas, SK Sungai Karang and SK Teruntum.

The programme, which was attended by 120 students from year four to year six, aimed to provide exposure and introduce them to robotics technology and the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

In this programme, students had the opportunity to visit laboratory facilities at the Faculty of Computing, UMPSA.

In addition, they could learn about the basic concepts and methods of handling robots with the guidance of experts and researchers within the university.

According to the Dean of the Centre for Mathematical Sciences (PSM), Professor Dr. Mohd Zuki Salleh, students have the opportunity to gain practical experience in completing assignments in groups for the ‘Park Your Robot’ and ‘Create A Companion’ projects.

“This initiative is a proactive step to further improve the quality of education in the country and can be used as a competitive platform to produce robotics and TVET experts starting from the elementary school level.

“This programme can also provide an understanding of future technologies that must be mastered by the younger generation while motivating them on what can be done if they succeed in academics,” he said.

Also held was the signing of a certificate of strategic collaboration with four Kuantan district schools as an important step in creating deeper relationships to strengthen the education sector and strengthen STEM elements in their curriculum.

Also present at the officiation ceremony were the Headmaster of SK Assunta Convent, Siti Hajar Hashim and the PIBG President of SK Assunta Convent, Mohd Akmal Kong Abdullah.

Also present were the Dean of the Faculty of Computing (FK), Associate Professor Ts. Ts. Adzhar Kamaludin, Deputy Dean of FK, Dr. Junaida Sulaiman, Deputy Dean of PSM, Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Sham Mohamad and Professor Dr. Wan Azmi Wan Hamzah who is one of the UMPSA researchers listed in the category of 2% of the world’s best scientists.

By: Nur Ainaa Adhreena Muhamad Shukri, Centre for Corporate Communications
Edited by: Dr.  Rozaimi  Abu  Samah, Faculty   of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology