JOHOR BAHRU, May 30 – In a significant milestone for engineering education at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), the largest robotics workshop to date was successfully concluded, attracting 114 enthusiastic participants into the exciting realm of intelligent machines. Organized by a dedicated team of student leaders and supported by academic experts, the One-Month Self-Balancing Robot Workshop pushed the limits of hands-on learning and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The workshop, which spanned four weeks, was carefully designed to simulate a real-world product development journey. Participants began with SolidWorks-based mechanical design, moved on to 3D printing, PCB design and fabrication, PID control theory, embedded systems programming, robot balancing, and concluded with the creation of a custom mobile control app using MIT App Inventor.
As the robot prototypes came to life, the energy and excitement in the lab spaces, generously provided by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (FKM) and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FKE), were palpable.
“This wasn’t just a workshop,” said one participant. “It was a complete engineering boot camp. We built something from scratch, troubleshoot real problems, and witnessed it move and balance. It’s something I’ll never forget.”
The journey culminated in a high-energy robot balancing competition, where students tested their robots in a battle of precision and stability. This was followed by a closing ceremony that celebrated not only the winners but also the growth and perseverance of every student.
The workshop would not have been possible without the immense support of the academic mentors. The organizing team expressed heartfelt gratitude to Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Ahmad ‘Athif Mohd Faudzi, Prof. Ir. Dr. Hazlina Selamat, and Ir. Ts. Dr. Fauzan Khairi Che Harun for their consistent guidance, motivation, and contributions throughout the program.
“We are incredibly proud to have hosted one of the largest and most hands-on robotics workshops conducted at UTM,” said the Program Director. “This event shows what’s possible when students are empowered, faculties collaborate, and innovation is prioritized.”
Beyond its technical accomplishments, the workshop aligned with global goals, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), by promoting quality education (SDG 4), industry innovation (SDG 9), and meaningful university-community engagement. It exemplified the values of ISES (Integrity, Sustainability, Excellence, Synergy) and strengthened the ties between academia and industry.
As the last robots powered down and students packed up their kits, one thing was clear: this was not the end, but just the beginning. A new generation of problem-solvers and innovators had taken their first significant steps, and the future of robotics at UTM had never looked brighter.
