📝 Summary
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) organized a community outreach program, JARVIS’26, to introduce children from a local orphanage to robotics, artificial intelligence, and computer science through hands-on learning. The program provided opportunities for the children to explore technology in an engaging environment and encouraged them to develop skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity. The initiative aimed to support the aspirations of Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 10, promoting quality education and reducing inequalities.
JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 31 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), through the Persatuan Mahasiswa Sains Komputer (PERSAKA), organised JARVIS’26: Engineering the Next Intelligence, a community outreach programme that introduced children from Rumah Perlindungan Kanak-Kanak TBQ Amal to robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and computer science through hands-on learning.
Held at the Security Operations Centre (SOC) Laboratory, N28A, UTM, the programme provided participants with opportunities to explore technology in an engaging learning environment. Conducted under the PERSAKA For Community initiative, it also reflected the university’s efforts to extend educational opportunities beyond the classroom through meaningful community engagement.
The programme began with The JARVIS Vision, an introductory session on AI and information technology. Participants then took part in a series of activities designed to make technological concepts accessible and enjoyable.
In Slot 1: PIECE, the children explored the components of the Robokar robotics kit and learned about their functions. This was followed by Slot 2: CODE, which introduced basic programming concepts, including variables, loops and conditional statements.
During Slot 3: EXECUTE, participants integrated and tested their robotic projects with guidance from student facilitators. They were encouraged to identify errors, troubleshoot problems and improve their projects through experimentation.
The activities provided practical exposure to programming and robotics while encouraging curiosity, creativity, teamwork and problem-solving skills. Student facilitators also worked closely with the children, explaining unfamiliar concepts and supporting them throughout the sessions.
In the afternoon, Slot 4: COMPETE gave participants an opportunity to apply what they had learned through an interactive robotics challenge. The activity encouraged them to communicate ideas, collaborate with teammates and demonstrate their problem-solving abilities.
The programme concluded with a ceremony featuring speeches, a montage presentation, and the presentation of prizes and certificates to recognise participants’ efforts. The ceremony was attended by Rumah Perlindungan Kanak-Kanak TBQ Amal management representative Muhammad Iskandar Irfan, while PERSAKA Advisor Dr. Muhammad Zafran Muhammad Zaly Shah delivered the closing address. A token of appreciation was also presented to the TBQ Amal representative in recognition of the collaboration.
JARVIS’26 was led by Programme Director Adam Syahmi Abdullah, with support from the organising committee, crew members and student facilitators. Their contributions included preparing learning modules, coordinating technical equipment, managing participants and conducting the robotics activities.
The initiative highlighted how university students can apply their knowledge and skills to benefit the community. By providing children with opportunities to experiment with technology and learn through collaboration, JARVIS’26 also supported the aspirations of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Sustainable Development Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
Although held for one day, the programme aimed to encourage the children to explore technology, build confidence and consider new possibilities through education.
