Kota Kinabalu: Petrosains, in partnership with IIUM Roboteam and supported by the Ministry of Education and Sabah Education Department, recently conducted its Tech4All programme at SMK Banggi.
The three-day event aimed to provide interactive robotics learning to 36 indigenous students from the Dusun Bonggi and Bajau Ubian ethnic groups across 11 schools in Pulau Banggi, Kudat.
The programme focused on fostering STEM education, innovation, and skills development among indigenous school children.
Participants like 12-year-old Ahmad Harianto from SK Sabur discovered new talents in robotics and programming, despite coming from a humble background.
“This is my first time joining this programme and I really like it very much. Not only did I learn more about robots and computers, but I also made a lot of new friends.
When I grow up one day later, I would like to be a teacher,” Ahmad said.
His teacher, Muhamed Faris shared how the programme provided an opportunity for rural students to be exposed to computer and robotics-related knowledge.
“Through this programme, I believe that we can discover more talents and ignite their passion for STEM learning. I hope that this programme will help to broaden their minds, offering more opportunities in the future,” Muhamed said.
The initiative covered computational thinking, basic coding, and robotics, culminating in a competition where Ahmad’s team won the opportunity to represent Sabah in upcoming national events.
This Tech4All programme is part of Petrosains’ broader efforts to democratize digital learning and instill 21st-century skills among indigenous communities. Since 2002,
Petrosains has reached nearly 50 schools across Malaysia through its Sahabat Petrosains initiative, impacting students from various tribes and ethnic groups.
These efforts highlight Petronas’ commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for indigenous children nationwide, aiming to unlock their potential and secure better opportunities in the IR4.0 era.
