Racing to Build Future STEM Talent

REMBAU, Malaysia – The excitement of motorsport met experiential STEM education at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Cawangan Negeri Sembilan, Kampus Rembau during the STEM Racing Southern Regional Finals 2026, held on 9–10 September 2026 at Dewan Biduanda. The event was organised through a strategic collaboration between UiTM Cawangan Negeri Sembilan and STEM Racing Malaysia. The two-day programme brought together 28 school teams from the southern region of Malaysia, representing diverse educational backgrounds, including fully residential schools, daily secondary schools, vocational colleges and private schools. More than a racing competition, the event provided young learners with a platform to apply STEM knowledge in a practical environment while developing skills that extend beyond the classroom.

Turning STEM Knowledge into Real-World Skills

During the event, students participated in racing activities alongside verbal presentations and pit-display judging. This combination required teams not only to demonstrate technical preparation but also to communicate their ideas, collaborate effectively and respond to evaluation. Students were therefore challenged to move beyond knowing STEM concepts and to apply them through design, problem-solving and decision-making.

“STEM Racing uses project-based learning and engineering design to encourage students to translate scientific and mathematical concepts into practical solutions. The approach also emphasises 21st-century competencies such as leadership, communication, critical thinking and teamwork. These objectives are central to STEM Racing Malaysia’s approach to strengthening STEM education through project-based learning and engineering design,” said Mohd Nazrin Zulkifli, Chief Coordinator of STEM Racing Malaysia.

Building Capacity Beyond the Classroom

The participation of 28 teams from different educational settings created a shared platform for young STEM talent to compete, interact and learn within a university environment. Preparing for the competition required students to work in teams, manage responsibilities and make technical decisions. Pit displays challenged them to organise and communicate information, while verbal presentations developed their ability to articulate and defend their ideas. This combination makes the competition a capacity-building experience rather than simply a race. Technical knowledge is developed alongside creativity, communication, teamwork and confidence which are capabilities that are increasingly important for future education and technology-driven careers.

Connecting Schools with the University

Hosting the Southern Regional Finals at UiTM Kampus Rembau also gave school students early exposure to a higher education environment and potential STEM pathways. According to Professor Dr Muhammad Hussain Ismail, Director of the Industry Network Centre at the Office of Industry, Community & Alumni Network (ICAN) UiTM, “The collaboration reflects the university’s wider responsibility to contribute to talent development beyond its own students. Through collaborations such as STEM Racing, school students can be brought into the university environment, exposed to new possibilities and allowed to engage with UiTM staff and students as facilitators, volunteers and judges. This strengthens the connection between schools and universities while helping young people see STEM as a pathway they can pursue.”

Strengthening Malaysia’s STEM Talent Pipeline

The collaboration demonstrates how universities and specialist STEM organisations can complement classroom education by creating opportunities for students to learn through experience. For UiTM Cawangan Negeri Sembilan, hosting the Southern Regional Finals represents more than providing a venue for competition; it positions the university as part of a wider STEM talent development ecosystem, connecting school education, higher education and future career aspirations. For the students, meanwhile, the value extends beyond producing the fastest car. They leave the competition having experienced what it means to solve problems, communicate ideas, work under pressure and turn knowledge into something tangible. At UiTM Kampus Rembau, the finish line therefore represented more than the end of a race; it marked another starting point for Malaysia’s. next generation of STEM talent.

The Southern Regional Finals concluded with impressive achievements across multiple categories, recognising students not only for racing performance but also for engineering, innovation, technology, sustainability, verbal presentation, digital media, portfolio development, teamwork and industry collaboration. This breadth of awards reflects the multidisciplinary skills developed through STEM Racing. Most importantly, 25 teams qualified for the National Finals, where they will advance to the next stage of competition. Their progression demonstrates how the regional platform enables young participants to move from school-based STEM learning towards increasingly challenging competitive experiences at national level.