15 schools get Robocar sets for programme

Prof Abd Samad (second from left), Sumini (front left) and representatives from the 15 schools with the Robocar set invented by UTM.

KOTA TINGGI: A total of 15 secondary schools in Southeast Johor Development Authority (Kejora) region received a set of Robocars for their training programme for the upcoming Robotic iCare league UTM-Kejora next month.

The robotic sets were provided by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) as one of their creative and innovative initiatives in sharing robotics technology information with the students in programming the Robocar for the league.

Faculty of Computing dean Prof Dr Abd Samad Ismail said the 15 Robocar sets were invented by students and lecturers from three UTM faculties including Faculty of Computing, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Faculty of Education.

“The cost of each Robotic set is estimated at about RM500, including their charger as well as services by UTM whenever they encounter any problem during the two-year period of our programme together.

“In this programme, we cooperate with Kejora where they spent a total of RM400,000 since 2012, including organising leagues, training sessions with the students, providing robotics equipment and many others,” he said.

He told reporters this during a press conference held at Teratak Penawar in Taman Fertigasi Kejora, Bandar Penawar here yesterday.

SMK Bandar T6 teacher Izuan Shah Abd Karim said the programme helps the students to explore more about robotics technology and to learn about new gadgets and robotic programmes which are not taught in class.

“These kind of initiative is a good move for rural students here as they were exposed to new technologies such as robotics programming, learn how to use the iPad mini to manoeuvre and set their Robocar and to challenge themselves in solving problems given using the Robocar.

Izuan, who is also the school Robotic Club coordinator, said that in 2012 a team from the school clinched first place in the league and hope to repeat the victory in the 2016 league.

SMK Bandar Mas teacher Hanida Adnan said their school was among the four schools chosen to undergo the pilot project for the programme in 2012, where they managed to win second place in the league.

“It was a good initiative by both parties as our students were excited to explore the Robocar. The gadgets given were new to them and it sparks their competitive and creative traits fast," she told The Star.

Kejora social and rural development manager Sumini Mohd Lahir said cooperation from the schools was much needed to improve existing integration infrastructure towards rural education.

“A total of 132 secondary students here will take part in the two-day competition called “Karnival Minda” and which is expected to be held in Bandar Penawar on March 26 and 27,” said Sumini after the Robocar hand out session and the launch of a book through the UTM-Kejora community project.