Dr Khan observing the various robotic projects.

Having fun while learning.

Seeing how robotics work.

Robotics in action.

Dr Ang giving a speech.

(left to right) Dr Ammar, Dr Ang, Dr Zurina Marzuki, Kevin Wan and Noor Faiz Zulkiflee.

A group picture at the competition.

A robotic demonstration.

UCSI University hosted the National Robotics Open Competition (NROC) 2019 on September 29 at the Multi-Purpose Hall in Block A of its Kuala Lumpur Campus.  The organisers of the event were the Ministry of Education Malaysia and Sasbadi Learning Solutions.  All participating teams combined together in their effort to champion Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in the 21st century.

Embracing the Digital Economy and Industrial Revolution 4.0 requires our nation to have a workforce with expert knowledge in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). In order to achieve this, we must produce graduates who are passionate and educated in this field. One of the ways to encourage students to embark on this fascinating world of science and technology is by learning STEM skills through robotics.

 Robotics is a platform that allows students to build their interest in STEM through making, innovating and problem solving. The skills and experience they gain will follow them through life and benefit them in the face of real world challenges

Participants from a total of 76 schools including primary and secondary schools were able to present their best innovative and creative products at the competition.

Present at the event was Dr Zurina Marzuki Assistant Principal Director of Private Education Division, Ministry of Education Malaysia, Kevin Wan Sasbadi Learning Solution Sdn Bhd director and

Noor Faiz Zulkiflee Sasbadi Learning Solution Sdn. Bhd. programme manager.

From UCSI University’s Faculty of Engineering, Technology and Built Environment, its dean Assistant Professor Dr Ang Chun Kit, Assistant Professor Dr Ammar Al-Talib and Assistant Professor Dr Mohamed Khan were also among those present at the event. Members of the IEEE UCSI Student Branch also participated as assistant judges during the competition.

“Other than STEM education, the event is also in line with IR 4.0 where Robotics and Automation are going to play an important role. It is an encouragement to the new generation to master the use of Robotics in different applications,” said Dr Ammar who was also a judge for the competition

The different themes for each category included Smart Passenger Transport dealing with the concept of self-driving cars, Smart Lighting which involves designing a robot that can replace old light bulbs with smart lights, Smart Grid in which a robot is created that modernises the network within a city by installing new wireless node devices and establishing an optical network between them.

The Driverless School Bus theme involved making a robot that can pick up children at their houses and transport the children to school. Furthermore, the robot must also be able to deliver food to the school.   Lastly, the Green City Challenge was where students aged 10-14 years worked together to construct their own solutions. They planned, built and tested their models and programming before sharing their solutions. In this way, students easily connected with real-life challenges.