UMPSA 2024 STEMBOT AI Week Carnival sparks STEM interest among school students

PEKAN, 23 November 2024 – A total of 200 school students and teachers from 40 schools across Pahang participated in the UMPSA 2024 STEMBOT AI Week Carnival, held recently at Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), Pekan.

The carnival, organised by the Faculty of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering Technology (FTKMA), aimed to foster interest in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

The opening ceremony was officiated by the Dean of FTKMA, Professor Dr Mahadzir Ishak@Muhammad, who highlighted the importance of such programmes in building students’ skills in modern technology.

In his speech, Professor Dr Mahadzir expressed his gratitude to all the individuals who contributed to the success of the programme. 

He stated, “Thank you and heartfelt appreciation to all parties involved, including teachers, parents, and volunteers, for their commitment in ensuring that this carnival successfully achieved its objectives.

“This programme showcases talent and skills through competitions in three categories: Sumo Robot 1kg, specifically for school students in Pahang; Soccer Robot 2kg, also for school students in Pahang; and Soccer Robot 5kg, which is open to all robot creators.

“Winners in each category will receive RM700 for first place, RM350 for second place, and RM150 for third place,” he said.

The Programme Director, Ts. Idris Mat Sahat, expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming response received for the inaugural event. He shared his hopes for the programme’s future, stating, 

“With such encouraging participation, the STEMBOT AI Week Carnival is expected to become an annual platform for school students and educational institutions to develop their talents in technology, contributing to the growth of STEM in Malaysia.

“This programme is not just a competition but also a practical learning platform in robotics and artificial intelligence.

“It proves the students’ ability to innovate and remain competitive,” he said.

In the Sumo Robot 1kg category, first place was won by the Sergam 2 Group from Sekolah Kebangsaan Gambang. Second place went to the Ubai Team Group from Sekolah Kebangsaan Ubai, while third place was claimed by the Robopoland Group from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Paloh Hinai.

For the Soccer Robot 2kg category, the first-place winner was the Gohillians Promax Group from Sekolah Kebangsaan (LKTP) Bukit Goh. The JJMaker Group from Sekolah Kebangsaan Jerantut Jaya secured second place, and the Putrabot Group from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Lepar Utara came in third.

In the Soccer Robot 5kg category, first place was won by the Robobuas Group from UMPSA. Second place was secured by the Sharoc Kickers Group from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sultanah Hajjah Kalsom, while the Rofa Group from the Youth and Sports Skills Training Institute (IKBN), Pekan, claimed third place.

By: Nor Salwana Mohamad Idris, Centre for Corporate Communications

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