Month: June 2025

Arduino Robotics 2025/2 – PPD Maran Day 2

*UMPSA STEM Lab Arduino Robotics Programming Synopsis can be found here.

The Arduino robotics programming session focused on introducing 84 students and teacher, from the district of Maran Pahang, to the fundamentals of coding and robotics using Arduino microcontrollers. The content covered basic coding concepts and gradually progressed to advanced topics such as line following algorithms. Through hands-on exercises and projects, students gained practical experience in programming Arduino boards to control a miniature 2-wheel robotic systems. The session successfully engaged students in interactive learning activities, fostering their understanding of robotics principles and enhancing their coding skills.

A special appreciation is extended to Tuan Hailmey for his exceptional coordination in facilitating communication between the participants and the UMPSA STEM Lab.

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Arduino Robotics 2025/1 – PPD Maran Day 1

*UMPSA STEM Lab Arduino Robotics Programming Synopsis can be found here.

The Arduino robotics programming session focused on introducing 76  students and teacher, from the district of Maran Pahang, to the fundamentals of coding and robotics using Arduino microcontrollers. The content covered basic coding concepts and gradually progressed to advanced topics such as line following algorithms. Through hands-on exercises and projects, students gained practical experience in programming Arduino boards to control a miniature 2-wheel robotic systems. The session successfully engaged students in interactive learning activities, fostering their understanding of robotics principles and enhancing their coding skills.

A special appreciation is extended to Tuan Hailmey for his exceptional coordination in facilitating communication between the participants and the UMPSA STEM Lab.

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iFuture @ UMPSA 2025

 iFuture @ UMPSA 2025 – TVET, Innovation & Future Leadership: From Ideas to Impact

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18pGsW5jr9/

Today, I had the honour of moderating the iFuture @ UMPSA 2025 Forum, aimed to explore how TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training), innovation, and youth leadership can converge to build a more resilient and future-ready Malaysia.

We were joined by two distinguished leaders:

  • Datuk Ir. Megat Jalaluddin Megat Hassan, President & CEO of Tenaga Nasional Berhad
  • YB Dato’ Mohd Nizar Dato’ Sri Najib, Pahang State Executive Councillor for Investment, Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation

We began the session with a light and personal question to the panelists:

“When you were 10 years old, what did you dream of becoming?”

It’s always humbling to hear that even prominent leaders once had childhood dreams as simple as becoming a pilot or a firefighter. It reminds our youth that success starts from humble beginnings—and dreams are valid at every age.

Round 1: Leadership Journeys

To Datuk Ir. Megat – How did you rise to lead TNB? What values or turning points shaped your journey?”
To Dato’  Nizar – What inspired your entry into public service, and how do you view youth’s role in shaping Malaysia’s future?”

Both speakers highlighted the importance of values, mentorship, and community. Leadership is not born overnight. It’s a journey of learning, often shaped by hardship. As a moderator, I truly resonated with the message that real leaders are forged through lived experience and a consistent drive to contribute meaningfully.

Round 2: Perspectives from Industry & Government

To Datuk Ir. Megat – How does TNB view the importance of TVET and innovation in developing a future-ready workforce?”
To Dato’ Sri Mohd Nizar – What is the state government doing to bridge the gap between TVET institutions and industry demands?”

This segment affirmed the need for policy-industry-academia alignment. There is strong intent on both sides—but more platforms like this are needed to translate intent into action. A big takeaway was how TVET is no longer an “alternative” path—it is a primary driver of economic resilience.

Round 3: Challenges & Strategies in TVET and Youth Innovation

To Datuk Ir. Megat – What are the key challenges in hiring industry-ready TVET graduates, and how is TNB addressing them?
To Dato’ Sri Mohd Nizar – What are some state initiatives to empower innovation among youth, particularly in TVET?

This was a powerful round. We discussed gaps in soft skills, adaptability, and real-world exposure. But more importantly, we heard concrete solutions: apprenticeships, innovation grants, and integrated learning pathways. I personally believe that innovation must not be limited to tech—it includes tinkering, problem-solving, and thinking differently.

Round 4: Vision & Collaboration for the Future

To Datuk Ir. Megat – Is TNB open to deeper collaboration with universities like UMPSA in leadership and innovation training?”
To Dato’ Nizar – What are your hopes for TVET students, and how can the state support them?”

 This round was particularly close to my heart. As an educator and innovator, I’ve seen that leaders are not just problem-solvers—they are full of ideas. Whether those ideas are big innovations or small tweaks in the classroom, the ability to think, question, and act is what separates a passive learner from a future leader.

And that kind of thinking requires exposure, hardship, and opportunities to build skills—in every direction.

Closing Reflections – A Message to Youth

We closed with this question to both panelists:

“What is your message to Malaysian and global youth as they navigate a future shaped by change and technology?”

Their answers were sincere and empowering—urging youth to stay curious, keep learning, and collaborate across boundaries.
I couldn’t agree more. If we want a generation that leads with courage and ideas, we must keep creating opportunities for them to explore, tinker, build, and fail safely.

I believe Leadership is not a position—it’s a practice =)
And at its core, leadership is the ability to generate ideas and act on them.

Whether you’re building a robot, writing code, or designing a simple classroom solution—those acts of creation are acts of leadership. My hope is that every student who joined us today leaves knowing that their voice, their skills, and their ideas matter.

Let us continue to support them—through conversations like these, and more importantly, through action.

Citrex 2025 – School Category

Today marked the end of Citrex Program Inovasi @ UMPSA, a two-day event filled with ideas, creativity, and meaningful collaboration between students, teachers, and families. It wasn’t just a competition—it was a festival of ideas, a gathering of minds and hearts across three tracks:

      1. LEKIU – for young innovators aged 10–12

      2. HEBAT – for secondary school students aged 13–21

      3. TUAH – for teachers

We were thrilled to host 47 primary schools under the LEKIU category, 36 teams from secondary schools under HEBAT, and 3 inspiring teacher-led teams under TUAH.

The Rubric – Measuring More Than Just Output

All participants were evaluated based on seven key items outlined in our rubric—designed to encourage critical thinking, creativity, and communication, rather than just “winning.”

Here’s what they were assessed on:

      1. Problem Understanding & Background Research
        – How well did the team define the issue? Was there real-world relevance and depth in their understanding?

      2. Innovation & Creativity
        – Was the solution original, bold, or out-of-the-box? Did the idea show a spark of ingenuity?

      3. Design Thinking / Solution Development
        – How was the idea developed? Was there structure, planning, and thought behind it?

      4. Use of Technology (Bonus)
        – For those who incorporated robotics, sensors, or digital tools—how effectively were they used?

      5. Poster Presentation (A1 Format)
        – Was the information presented clearly and visually engaging? Was the poster an effective communication tool?

      6. Demonstration of Product / Prototype
        – Did the prototype (or model) work? Was the team able to explain how it works?

      7. Impact and Relevance
        – Would this idea benefit a real-world community, school, or situation? Was the idea scalable or sustainable?

 

Winning teams were announced yesterday—congratulations to all of you!

But to those who didn’t walk away with medals—you are winners too.

Why? Because you showed up. You ideated. You built. You practiced. You stood in front of a crowd and shared your ideas with the world. That alone is victory.

You made it through the entire process of innovation—from ideation, to tinkering, to presentation. That journey is far more valuable than the outcome.

Hardware, Heartwork, and Hard Work

The Innovation Day wasn’t just about ideas—it was about hardware: the hands-on building, testing, soldering, debugging, sticking, and sometimes even starting over.

It was also about heartwork: families staying up late to glue and cut, teachers guiding teams with care, and students whispering to one another backstage before pitching.

Yes, we acknowledge that younger students often receive help from adults—and that’s okay. When those students step up, present in front of an audience, and explain their version of the innovation… they are learning. They are growing. That in itself is a massive win.

To our pro bono committee members – Pn Ijan, Dr Sue, Pn Yan, Pn Idde, Pn Nashua, Hj Zahir, mentors, volunteers, and judges—thank you.

It was fun, yes. It was exhausting, absolutely. But it was also incredibly worthwhile.

You helped make this festival of ideas a place where students, parents, and teachers met, built, and grew together. That’s the true spirit of STEM.

Final Words

At UMPSA STEM Lab, we believe that no idea is less brilliant than the next. Every project is an ilham—an inspiration gifted by Allah. What matters is not how polished it looks, but how much thought, care, and learning went into its creation.

To all participants,
Keep building. Keep dreaming. And keep solving problems—big or small.

You are the future. And the future looks bright.

Nurul – June 19th

 

Briefings