National robotics winners vying to extend the country’s world title streak
THE use of robots is not confined to industry.
Increasingly, these machines are also becoming creative partners across a range of fields, including art and culture.
Demonstrating how robots can help shape, protect and grow cultural heritage, seven teams of primary and secondary school students emerged as top winners at the 22nd National Robotics Competition (NRC) Final 2026.
The teams – four from Selangor and one each from Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Sarawak – will go on to represent Malaysia at the 23rd World Robot Olympiad (WRO) 2026, to be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from Dec 8 to 10.
They will compete against teams from more than 100 countries for the coveted world title, as Malaysia looks to continue its winning streak after being crowned Overall WRO Champion for three consecutive years, with previous national contingents emerging victorious in Panama in 2023, Turkiye in 2024 and Singapore in 2025.
Speaking at the NRC 2026 Awards Presentation and Closing Ceremony held at INTI International University Nilai in Negri Sembilan on Sept 10, Education Ministry deputy director-general (school operations sector) Datuk Zainal Abas highlighted the value of such competitions.
“Robotics competitions not only strengthen students’ science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills but also support the aspirations of the Malaysia Education Plan 2026–2035 in nurturing a knowledgeable, skilled, creative and innovative generation.
“Through these competitions, students can develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, teamwork and self-confidence, while preparing themselves to face the challenges of a world increasingly driven by technology and innovation,” he said.
Themed Robots Meet Culture, the NRC 2026, which was open to students nationwide aged seven to 19, challenged participants to explore how robotics, creativity and technology can help preserve, revitalise and showcase cultural heritage in more innovative ways.
The seven Malaysian teams stood out in three categories: Robomission Pro, Robosports and Future Innovators.
Winners in Robomission were SK Bandar Uda 2, Johor, in the primary school category and SMJK Kwang Hua, Selangor, in both the lower and upper secondary categories. Participants were required to build and program a robot capable of solving tasks on a field.
SMK Chung Hua (CF), Sarawak, clinched the Robosports title, which involved teams competing in a game using robots.
In Future Innovators, the winners were SJK(C) Jalan Davidson, KL, in the primary school category, and SMK Katholik (M) and SMK Damansara Jaya, both in Selangor, in the lower and upper secondary categories, respectively. Participants were tasked with developing a project and designing and building a prototype.
Organised annually by the Education Ministry and Sasbadi Holdings Berhad since 2005, the NRC aims to foster students’ interest in STEM while developing essential skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving and computational thinking.
The programme also provides students with early exposure to future-oriented fields such as artificial intelligence, automation and engineering, equipping them with the skills, mindset and confidence to navigate an increasingly technology-driven world.
Sasbadi group managing director Law King Hui said the students’ achievements reflected their “remarkable spirit and determination”.
“We hope that the NRC will continue to receive support and be expanded in the future, especially in terms of getting more rural schools to participate,” he said in a press release.
Also present at the event were Negri Sembilan State Education Department director Khalidah Omar and INTI International University Nilai chief executive officer Dr Chong Kok Wai.
