JOHOR BAHRU, Jan 16 – The FKE UTM x IEMSB-YES STEM and Robotics Workshop and Competition 2025 is an engaging Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative designed to inspire and empower students in the fields of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and robotics. This program is a collaborative effort between the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) Southern Branch Young Engineers Section (IEMSB-YES) and the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). It reflects a strong commitment to fostering innovation and developing technical skills among the younger generation.
The event received financial support from Parlimen Tebrau. It involved six schools from the Tebrau area and 15 from regions such as Johor Bahru, Pasir Gudang, Kota Tinggi, and Batu Pahat. This extensive participation underscored the program’s inclusive vision of engaging students from various backgrounds and promoting STEM education as a transformative force. The event was held at AEON Mall Bandar Dato Onn, a venue generously provided to ensure a centralized and accessible platform for all participants.
The STEM and Robotics Workshop and Competition was a multifaceted program that combined hands-on workshops, technical challenges, and an engaging competition. Its goal was to nurture students’ problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and critical thinking skills. This platform encouraged students to apply their theoretical knowledge of STEM to practical situations, particularly in robotics, a key driver of technological innovation worldwide.
The competition concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing the top-performing teams. The top five winners demonstrated exceptional creativity, technical skill, and teamwork. They represented the following schools: Sekolah Sri Tenby Setia Eco Gardens, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Taman Nusa Damai, SMK Tun Habab, SMK Agama Bandar Penawar, and SMK Taman Mount Austin. Their achievements highlighted the impressive potential of young talents in Johor to excel in STEM disciplines when given the right opportunities and resources.
The top 5 winners received awards from YB Jimmy Puah
The closing ceremony of the event was a distinguished affair attended by prominent figures. Ir. David Puen Ming Shen, Chairman of the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) Southern Branch, and YB Jimmy Puah Wee Tse, Member of Parliament for Tebrau, officiated the ceremony, offering their support and encouragement to the participants. Also present were Ir. Juraimi Masood and Dr. Yip Bao Fang from IEM Southern Branch, whose attendance underscored the engineering community’s commitment to fostering future talent.
This program strengthened collaborations between academia, industry, and local communities and demonstrated how corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives can positively impact youth development. By engaging schools from various districts, the program provided students with opportunities to interact, compete, and learn from peers with diverse experiences, thereby fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.
Through the 2025 STEM and Robotics Workshop and Competition, IEM Southern Branch Youth Education Society (IEMSB-YES) and FKE UTM successfully advanced their mission to bridge the gap between education and industry, equipping students to thrive in a technology-driven future. This initiative emphasized the importance of nurturing STEM capabilities as a foundation for innovation and economic growth while inspiring young minds to pursue careers in engineering, technology, and related fields.
This article is written by Nurul Ashikin Abdul-Kadir and Zaharah Johari