KUCHING: In an effort to bridge the urban-rural divide and foster technological literacy, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), in collaboration with Politeknik Negeri Padang (PNP), Indonesia, and i-CATS University College (i-CATS UC), conducted a successful two-day AI Awareness Program in Kuching, Sarawak.
Held from 28th to 29th September 2024, the program engaged 32 primary school students from SK Muhibbah near Pending, Kuching.
The initiative was part of an international community service and Service Learning Malaysia University for Society (SULAM) project.
It featured students from UNIMAS, i-CATS UC, and PNP as trainers and facilitators, offering hands-on learning experiences in artificial intelligence (AI) through activities such as game development using Scratch and interactive AI-powered applications like Canva and Quick Draw!
The program’s success was driven by the participation of Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours) students from UNIMAS and five lecturer of Faculty of Computing and Software Engineering (FCSE), i-CATS UC who supervised the event.
The collaborative effort also featured AI experts from PNP, including lecturers Alde Alanda Hidra, Amnur Taufik, Gusman Aldo Erianda, Ardian Firosha, and student Firman Ardiansyah.
Dr. Cheah Wai Shiang from UNIMAS led the project as the main coordinator, along with representatives from i-CATS UC.
In addition to learning the basics of AI, the students explored the creative uses of AI in arts and music through Suno AI and had the opportunity to develop their own AI projects using Scratch’s machine-learning extensions.
The interactive sessions were designed to make AI engaging and accessible, sparking the students’ curiosity about how AI can be applied to real-world challenges.
The program was well-received by both the students and educators.
Many of the young participants expressed their excitement about AI’s potential, describing it as a “smart tool” that can assist with everyday tasks.
Their positive response demonstrated that, even at a young age, they grasped the practical applications of AI in simple yet meaningful ways.
This initiative exemplifies the commitment of UNIMAS, PNP, and i-CATS UC to enrich the learning experience for both university and primary school students.
It does not only strengthened the relationship between higher education institutions and the local community but also laid the foundation for future collaborations aimed at empowering young minds through technology.
The program concluded with smiles and a sense of accomplishment, as participants left inspired to further explore the world of AI.
This event serves as a stepping stone for continued efforts in nurturing innovation and learning in rural communities across the region.
Prepared by Celine Haren, Tay Chung Ang and Cheah Wai Shiang, UNIMAS