JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 26 – Kolej Tuanku Canselor (KTC), in collaboration with STEM-RBTK club from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FKE) and the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni) (JTNCHEPA), proudly hosted The Ultimate IoT Innovation Hackathon 2025. This exciting event was part of the Komuniti@uniMADANI program, supported by Malaysia’s Ministry of Finance (MOF) and the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation (JTNCPI), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). The hackathon highlights UTM’s dedication to student empowerment and its role in contributing to the community through innovation and education. The event was held on 12 to 13 and 25 to 26 of August 2025 at Dewan Astana, KTC.
The hackathon was not just about competition—it was an opportunity for learning and giving back. FKE lecturers provided hands-on training in Internet of Things (IoT) technology, electronics, artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics to the participating students, most of whom were from KTC, and assistant engineers. These students didn’t just learn these skills; they also passed this knowledge on to schools across Malaysia. This two-in-one approach helped the students build leadership skills while reaching out to others in their communities.
Over four days, the event took place in two phases at KTC and involved 102 schools from all over the country, including Sabah and Sarawak. This wide participation shows how the Komuniti@uniMADANI program is making sure students from all regions have access to exciting technological learning opportunities.
The program was officiated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Asrul Izam, the representative of Deputy Dean (Research, Innovation and Development) of FKE and Dr. Amirjan Nawabjan, KTC Principal.
Through this experience, UTM students not only developed technical skills but also gained confidence as mentors and role models for younger students, the primary and secondary schools students. They played a key role in helping school students understand the potential of new technologies, making a real difference in communities. This outreach also aligns with Malaysia’s goals for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4: Quality Education).
The hackathon was more than just a learning event—it was a transformative experience. It encouraged students to think creatively and apply their knowledge in real-world situations while building a strong sense of community and responsibility. It’s a great example of UTM’s mission to nurture well-rounded, innovative graduates who are ready to lead and make a positive impact in society.
In summary, The Ultimate IoT Innovation Hackathon 2025 showed the power of teamwork between KTC, FKE, JTNCPI, JTNCHEPA, and national partners. By supporting the Komuniti@uniMADANI program, the event not only enhanced academic excellence but also demonstrated how UTM students can use their knowledge to help others and drive innovation in Malaysia.
This article was written by Nurul Ashikin Abdul Kadir and Mastura Shafinaz Zainal Abidin
