BATU KAWAN: A group of Sekolah Menengah Sains Hulu Terengganu (SAHUT) students made the country proud when their robot creation, named ‘ADEK’ was selected to represent Malaysia at the FIRST Global Challenge competition in Singapore last October.
Team captain Khayra Zokree said they were still proud to have represented Malaysia at the international stage and compete against other participants from over 190 countries even though they only placed 85th in the contest, adding that it was good experience for them as they were exposed to the fields of Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology (STEM).
“We named the robot ‘ADEK’ as we loved it like our younger sibling and it is very close to us as we went through many challenges and obstacles when we created it.
“The roboti is a simulation of the Hydrogen Horizons theme given by the organisers. It is capable of collecting hydrogen and oxygen separated to be a new source of renewable green energy,” he said when meet during a visit to Lam Research International Sdn Bhd here today.
Besides Khayra, seven other students make up the team, including co-leader Mohammad Ammar Akhmal Abd Wafa, Sharifah Umi Aleya Sayed Abdullah Sani, Anis Batrisyia Kamal, Muhammad Hazim Takiuddin, Wan Khadijah Wan Mohd Fakhruddin, Adriana Sofea Fadzarmarta and Alif Daniel Salman.
Lam Research, a global supplier of waffer fabrication equipment and services for the semiconductor industry, was the main sponsor for the FIRST Global Challenge and provided over 30 mentors to help participating teams, including SAHUT in terms of guidance and advice to expand their potential in developing robotic creations.
Khayra said the visit was beneficial for them as they had the opportunity to see how Lam Research operated, adding that they were also given the chance to hold a demonstration of their robot to the company’s top management.
Meanwhile, Lam Research managing director and general manager Soon K Kuek said as a company involved in technology, it was their commitment and priority to foster new talent among youth to contribute to the fields of science and technology.
“Usually those prioritised are excellent students from well-known schools and from major countries, but at Lam Reseach, we want to give equal opportunity to all students, including those in rural areas…we don’t want to have a bias in this as what should be important is their talent and not where they come from.
“We are really commited to nurturing and empowering the minds of these youth through transformative learning as part of the strategy to stimulate STEM talent and manpower in the semiconductor industry of the future,” she said. – Bernama
