UMPSA hosts Malaysia Techlympics 2024 East Coast Zone Level

GAMBANG, 8 August 2024 – Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) is hosting the Malaysia Techlympics 2024 East Coast Zone Level, organized by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI).

The two-day programme, which began on August 7 and concluded on August 8, 2024, saw a total of 497 primary school students from Kelantan (172 participants), Terengganu (198 participants), and Pahang (127 participants) competing to advance to the next stage and represent the Eastern Zone at the national level.

The Malaysia Techlympics is an initiative by MOSTI to foster interest among the younger generation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through a fun, competitive approach. 

The event aims to cultivate critical thinking, practical skills, and meaningful, high-impact innovations in youth.

Now in its third year, the programme was first launched in 2022. 

The East Coast Zone Level is the first regional event of the Malaysia Techlympics 2024, with other levels planned for the Northern, Central, Southern, Sabah, and Sarawak zones.

More than 2,500 participants gathered and competed in this East Coast Zone Level for a chance to qualify for the national finals, which will be held in November 2024 in Putrajaya.

Various technology-based competitions, including artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), drones, coding, and robotics, were held at both state and zonal levels. 

The Malaysia Techlympics 2024 aims to involve 1 million participants nationwide.

The primary goal of the Malaysia Techlympics is to cultivate a culture of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) among its target audience through hands-on, informal approaches, as well as experiential learning and competitions. 

The programme is designed to engage students and youth from all backgrounds, encouraging creativity and innovation in STEM.

At the same event, a new programme initiative was launched—the Rehlah Sains Programme, a National Science Week Mini Carnival aimed at students in tahfiz schools across the East Coast, including Pahang, Terengganu, and Kelantan.

Scheduled for October and November, the programme will involve seven tahfiz schools.

It is also an initiative by MOSTI to provide STI exposure to tahfiz students, fostering their interest in STEM and encouraging creative thinking and innovation.

The ceremony was officiated by the Pahang State Exco for Investment, Industry, Science, Technology, and Innovation, the Honourable Dato' Mohamad Nizar Dato' Sri Mohamad Najib, who represented the Chief Minister of Pahang.

Also in attendance were the Deputy Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, the Honourable Dato' Haji Mohammad Yusof Apdal, as well as UMPSA’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student and Alumni Affairs), Professor Ts. Dr. Mohd Rusllim Mohamed, who represented the UMPSA Vice-Chancellor, and Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Industry and Community Linkages), Professor Datin Ts. Mimi Sakinah Abdul Munaim.

By: Naqiah Puaad, Centre for Corporate Communications

Translation by: Aminatul Nor Mohamed Said, UMPSA Career Centre (UMPSACC)