SMARTECH Challenge 2025: Empowering the Young Innovators

Dr. Nurul Rawaida Ain Burhani

Johor Bahru, 27 Feb. 2025 – Advanced Manufacturing Research Group (AMRG UTM) at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), together with the Sektor Sumber Teknologi Pendidikan (SSTP), Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri Johor, successfully organized the SMARTECH Challenge 2025. This program was supported by strategic partners, including HUX Robotics, Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Bahru, and Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Nusa Perintis 1, along with funding from UTM’s Community and Industry Network Centre (CCIN UTM) through the Aims4Star grant and Gleneagles Hospital. The state-level competition took place from 24 to 26 February 2025 at SSTP JPN, providing primary and secondary school students across Johor with a platform to showcase their creativity, technical skills, and innovative solutions in line with the Industrial Revolution 4.0. The event began with a motivational STEM talk, followed by two days of coaching and a hackathon, concluding with final presentations for competition evaluation.

DSC — Students showcase skills in the Line Tracer challenge

DSC — Students refine prototypes with mentors

DSC — SMK AGAMA BANDAR PENAWAR wins Grand Award for the secondary school category, earning a 3D printer

Starting from June 2024, the SMARTECH Challenge 2025 progressed through three continuous phases: the SMARTECH Community Exhibition, the preliminary SMARTECH Challenge, and the final SMARTECH Challenge 2025 Grand Finale. The program aimed to enhance STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) skills among youth while tackling real-world challenges through innovation. The competition witnessed overwhelming participation, with registrations surpassing initial expectations. Initially planned for 40 teams, the event expanded to accommodate 63 teams from over 25 primary and secondary schools across Johor. Due to this surge in interest, the schedule was revised to February 2025 with the support of the Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI), YB Tuan Liew Chin Tong, and the Johor State Education Department (JPN Johor) to ensure wider impact and accessibility.

DSC — YB Dun Perling, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aini Zuhra and Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Zaini are with participants at SSTP JPN. Supported by MITI and JPN Johor, the event brought 63 teams from 25 schools to advance STEM in Johor

DSC — SMARTECH 2025 committee, ensuring a seamless event to foster STEM talent in Johor

Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Aini Zuhra Abdul Kadir, Program Director of the SMARTECH Challenge 2025, stated, “The overwhelming response of 40 to 63 teams was a challenge; however, it reflects the desire among Johor’s youth to innovate. With the support of all our strategic partners, we have redesigned the program to maximize its impact. Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders, and SMARTECH serves as their platform to develop ideas that can transform industries and communities.”

The SMARTECH Challenge 2025 emphasized the importance of collaboration among schools, universities, and industries to advance STEM education. By integrating tools like 3D printing and robotics, the program equips students with skills aligned with global technological trends.

With the theme “Driving Johor’s Youth Innovation Toward Industrial Revolution 4.0,” SMARTECH Challenge 2025 has sparked a passion for innovation, positioning Johor’s students at the forefront of Malaysia’s digital and technological transformation. Looking forward, the organizers plan to expand the initiative in 2026 with a structured mentorship program linking top teams with UTM academics and industry experts. Feedback from participants and stakeholders will also help create a more inclusive and impactful experience in the future.