UTM hosts Technological and Cultural Exchange for JXVTC Students

Dr. Nurul Ashikin Abdul Kadir

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FKE) at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) recently organized a week-long summer camp for students from Jiaxing Vocational and Technical College (JXVTC), China. Held from September 23 to 29, 2024, the camp provided a rich blend of academic, technical, and cultural experiences, supported by FKE’s STEM-RBTK program, the AIROST club, and FKE student buddies.

The program began at UTM’s Kuala Lumpur campus with visits to the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) and the Center of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIRO). Students then traveled to UTM’s main campus in Johor Bahru, where they explored research centers and laboratories, gaining hands-on exposure to UTM’s technological advancements. They engaged in a robotics training module, where they programmed their own robots and developed AI-driven mobile applications for control. Training included Tinkercode programming, the Blynk dashboard, mobile app development, and creating a machine learning platform, offering even non-engineering students practical insight into engineering concepts.

To deepen their appreciation of industry applications, students visited DF Automation and Robotics Sdn. Bhd., a UTM-led robotics company, to witness technopreneurship in action—demonstrating how classroom learning translates to real-world solutions.

Alongside technical training, students embarked on a cultural tour of Johor, visiting the Johor Heritage Museum to experience traditional Malaysian heritage, attire, and cuisine. They also toured the Johor Weaving Gallery to learn about traditional fabric production.

As a culminating project, students were tasked with proposing a technology solution that blended Malaysian and Chinese cultural elements. Formed into diverse groups based on personality and learning styles, they received targeted training and prompts to guide them. Self-assessments before and after the camp revealed significant growth in metacognitive skills, even within the short program duration.

This summer camp fostered both academic exchange and cultural understanding, offering participants unforgettable experiences in Malaysia. It highlighted UTM’s commitment to global collaboration, showcasing how cross-cultural initiatives can broaden students’ perspectives and reinforce ties with educational institutions in China.