Thirty-six students from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Penrissen, Kuching gained valuable hands-on experience in technology and engineering fundamentals during the “Robotics Workshop at SMK Penrissen, Kuching” held on Monday, 8 September 2025.
The program was organized by the High Voltage Engineering & Technology (HiVET) Research Group from the Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS). The primary objective of the workshop was to increase students’ interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), particularly focusing on the basics of robotics and the Internet of Things (IoT).
The half-day session ran from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and was held in the school’s Computer Laboratory. The workshop was guided by a team of experienced facilitators from UNIMAS, including Associate Professor Ir. Ts. Dr. Yanuar Z. Arief, Mdm Nazreen bt Junaidi, Mdm Nurul ‘Izzati bt Hashim, Ts. Shirley Rufus, Ts. Dr. Mohd Ridhuan bin Mohd Sharip, and Ts. Nasri bin Eli. The UNIMAS team worked closely with the supervising teacher from SMK Penrissen, Cikgu Celestine.
The practical activities were designed to be engaging and challenging. Students were tasked with building two main projects: a Cytron Pikabot robotics module and a Smart Home Kit utilizing IoT technology.
Positive Impact and Engagement
The students who participated showed exceptional enthusiasm and dedication throughout the workshop. They diligently followed every stage of the building process, successfully completing both the robotics and the smart home modules.
The organizers anticipate that the successful execution of this program will significantly increase student interest in STEM, especially in robotics and IoT fundamentals. Through the active support and collaboration of UNIMAS, it is hoped that similar programs will receive a positive reception from parents and the community. This collaborative effort directly supports the government’s objective of nurturing a larger pool of skilled STEM students, which is crucial for Sarawak’s future economic development.
Report prepared by Assoc. Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Yanuar Zulardiansyah Arief