PETALING JAYA: A team of three Orang Asli students from Johor won the gold medal at the 27th International Robot Olympiad event with a robotics system designed to study the surface of Mars.
According to Petrosains, students from Sekolah Kebangsaan Pengkalan Tereh in Kluang, Johor, presented a concept involving two coordinated robots in the Creative Idea category.
One robot was positioned at the front to handle navigation, while a second robot equipped with sensors was towed behind to collect data.
The event held in the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia on Dec 17-21.
“I feel proud and deeply touched to be able to make Malaysians proud, especially after winning gold. I was amazed by how beautiful it is here, and I’m happy to have made new friends,” said Qaseh Allysa Balqis Sidin, 11.
Students from Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampong Layau in Kota Tinggi, Johor, won a bronze medal in the Creative Technical category for a robot designed to avoid and detect obstacles during planetary exploration.
The students presented a remote-controlled robot with features such as sensors to detect hazards and a gripper to move obstacles.
“I felt happy and excited as it was my first time travelling overseas. I never expected to place third, and I’m proud to be bringing home a medal for Malaysia,” said Muhammad Fahrin Ammar, 11.
Overall, 15 students from five primary schools in Johor, Perak and Pahang took part in the youth robotics competition, which was first established in 1999.
Malaysia's participation was made possible through the support of Petrosains, Education Ministry and global nonprofit Opito, title sponsor for Petrosains Tech4All inititiave and International Robot Olympiad 2025.
The Tech4All initiative was designed to introduce indigenous students to robotics and STEM, providing them with access to mentorship, training and chance to compete at a global stage.
“As the social impact arm of PETRONAS, Petrosains believes every child deserves the opportunity to dream, explore, and thrive through STEM. Through Petrosains Tech4All, we are building a more inclusive pathway where curiosity is nurtured, and potential is unlocked.
"We hope to reach even more students next year, so more young Malaysians can see how STEM can open doors beyond their horizons," Petrosains CEO Ezarisma Azni Mohamad said in a statement.
For Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampong Layau teacher Ezzah Soffia, the experience brings hope to students from the Orang Asli community.
“I hope that the experiences gained at the competition can be shared with their community, so that the journey in robotics can continue and inspire those who were unable to join them on the international stage,” she added.
