Tag: Universiti Teknologi MARA

KARISMA Komuniti 2026: Moh Ghombau Beghompeh was held on 25 July 2026 at Masjid Jamek An-Nur, Rembau, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Organised in strategic collaboration with the Higher Education Leadership Academy (AKEPT), Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia. The initiative recorded 278 registrations, bringing together community members, school pupils, university staff and students, government representatives, healthcare professionals and strategic partners. The registrations reflect participation from UiTM campuses, schools, local communities, government agencies, healthcare institutions and other organisations.

A Quintuple Helix approach to community challenges

At the heart of the programme was the Quintuple Helix model, connecting academia, government, industry and strategic partners, civil society and environmental interests within a single community platform. UiTM collaborated with stakeholders including the Rembau District Council, Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), Negeri Sembilan Department of Agriculture, Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA), Hanizah Optometri and other partners. Rather than operating as separate contributors, these stakeholders brought complementary expertise into a single community-centred initiative, demonstrating the university’s role as a connector between knowledge, resources and local needs.

Bringing university expertise into the community

Health and well-being formed a major pillar of the programme. The community engagement team from Hospital Al-Sultan Abdullah (HASA), UiTM, delivered preventive healthcare activities, including basic health screenings, Pap smear screening and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training. Eye examinations were provided in collaboration with Hanizah Optometri. UiTM also extended professional expertise beyond healthcare. The Faculty of Law, UiTM also provided basic legal advisory services, while digital literacy activities promoted greater awareness of responsible and safe engagement in digital environments. Together, these activities brought professional services and practical knowledge beyond the university campus and directly into the community.

Turning knowledge into skills and opportunity

Knowledge transfer was another core component. UiTM academics and students introduced young participants to science and technology through interactive STEM activities, encouraging experiential learning beyond the conventional classroom. For community participants, practical entrepreneurship workshops focused on producing and packaging value-added products, including lotions, lip balms and traditional tempeh. The activities combined technical knowledge with basic product development and entrepreneurial skills, creating opportunities for participants to explore knowledge-based income generation. The diverse registration profile also highlights the programme’s intergenerational reach, encompassing school pupils and students alongside adults from communities, agencies and institutions.

Connecting well-being with culture and environment

KARISMA Komuniti 2026 integrated community development with Negeri Sembilan’s cultural identity. The Lenggang Budayo Brisk Walk combined physical activity with the celebration of traditional attire, while Rewang Rakyat strengthened social cohesion through the local tradition of collective food preparation and communal dining. Environmental stewardship complemented these activities through the planting of native Jambu Bol trees and a green corner designed to encourage environmental awareness. A Sudut KARISMA Cilik was also established as a space for leisure activities through reading among younger participants. This combination of health, knowledge, culture and environmental action reflects a broader understanding of community well-being. It recognises that sustainable development depends not only on economic opportunity but also on social cohesion, local identity and environmental responsibility.

Translating the SDGs into local action

The programme contributes directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 15: Life on Land. More importantly, KARISMA Komuniti 2026 demonstrates how these global goals can be translated into tangible action at the local level – from preventive healthcare and STEM education to entrepreneurship, cultural preservation and environmental stewardship. Through its collaboration with AKEPT and multiple community stakeholders, UiTM Cawangan Negeri Sembilan positioned the university not simply as a provider of knowledge but as a catalyst that connects expertise, partnerships and community needs. Thus, KARISMA Komuniti 2026: Moh Ghombau Berghompeh illustrates how a university-led Quintuple Helix ecosystem can extend academic knowledge beyond campus boundaries and transform collaboration into inclusive, sustainable community impact.

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.

The Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) successfully organised the Chemical and Oil & Gas Engineering Research Showcase (CORES 2026) on 22–23 July 2026 at UiTM Shah Alam, bringing together final-year students, academics, and industry professionals through a two-day research showcase.

CORES 2026 featured Research Project II (RP2) and Final Year Project II (FYP2) students from the Chemical Engineering and Oil and Gas Engineering programs. The showcase provided a platform for students to present the outcomes of their final-year research through poster presentations and question and answer sessions. The students were evaluated by internal examiners together with external panel members comprising industry professionals and experts from other institutions. Through direct engagement with the external panels, students received constructive feedback on their research methodology, technical findings, data interpretation, practical applicability, and presentation skills.

Beyond academic assessment, CORES 2026 was designed to expose students to professional engineering perspectives. The external panels encouraged students to consider how engineering solutions must balance technical performance with practical factors such as safety, feasibility, operability, sustainability, and industry requirements. The two-day program also created opportunities for academics and industry professionals to exchange knowledge and explore potential research and industry collaborations. This engagement strengthened the connection between engineering education and professional practice while providing students with valuable exposure to expectations beyond the university environment.

Outstanding performances were recognized through the Best Presenter Awards, with Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards presented separately for the Chemical Engineering and Oil and Gas Engineering programs. Ten students from both programs were also recognized with the Best Poster Award for excellence in research communication and poster presentation. The successful implementation of CORES 2026 was supported by the faculty management, external panel members, internal examiners, supervisors, administrative staff, technical staff, support staff, and participating students.

The organising committee extends its sincere appreciation to Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Norin Zamiah Kassim Shaari, Deputy Dean (Academic Affairs), Assoc. Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Nur Hashimah Alias (CEng MIChemE), Deputy Dean (Research, Innovation, Industry, Community & Alumni Linkages), and Dr. Miradatul Najwa Muhd Rodhi, Deputy Dean (Student Affairs), for their continuous guidance and support. CORES 2026 was coordinated by Dr. Norasmah Mohammed Manshor and Dr. Noorsuhana Mohd Yusof, Research Project II Coordinators, together with Dr. Nurul Aimi Ghazali, Final Year Project II Coordinator.

Through initiatives such as CORES 2026, the Faculty of Chemical Engineering, UiTM continues to strengthen experiential learning, research communication, and academia industry engagement in developing technically competent, professionally confident, and industry ready engineering graduates.

Keywords: CORES 2026, Universiti Teknologi MARA, UiTM, Chemical Engineering, Oil and Gas Engineering, Engineering Education, Research Showcase, Industry Engagement

9 July 2026 – Shah Alam, Malaysia – Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), through the Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainable Development (IBSD), has successfully implemented a STEAM and robotics knowledge transfer program aimed at nurturing digital literacy, computational thinking, and environmental awareness among primary school students in Selangor.

The program introduced Sphero BOLT, an interactive educational robot, as a platform for learning coding, robotics, and the applications of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the Internet of Things (IoT). By integrating hands-on learning with real-world problem-solving, the initiative demonstrated how emerging technologies can support environmental sustainability and contribute to the development of future smart communities. The program was made possible through a research collaboration between IBSD, led by Associate Professor Dr. Marfiah Ab. Wahid, and the Faculty of Education, University of Toyama, Japan, led by Professor Yoshinori Naruse, as part of the ongoing activities under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two universities. A total of 50 students and five teachers from SK Bukit Kemuning 2, SK Taman Gembira, and SK Sungai Bumbun actively participated in the program from April to July 2026.

Sphero BOLT is a programmable spherical robot equipped with multiple sensors, an LED matrix display, infrared communication, a compass, and a gyroscope. Designed as a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) educational tool, it enables students to learn coding and engineering concepts through engaging, practical activities. Throughout the program, participants developed fundamental knowledge and practical skills in coding, programming logic, flowchart design, sensor technology, navigation systems, infrared communication, digital compass applications, and gyroscope functions. Students also explored key physics concepts, including speed and acceleration, while strengthening computational thinking, creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. The program further demonstrated how robotics and IoT technologies are transforming everyday life through applications such as environmental monitoring, flood early warning systems, smart transportation, autonomous vehicles, precision agriculture for efficient fertilizer management, and even space exploration.

To ensure sustainable implementation, the program adopted a phased training approach. Teachers first participated in academic workshops before transferring their knowledge and skills to students in their respective schools. This train-the-trainer model strengthens schools’ capacity to sustain STEAM and robotics education beyond the project’s duration. The program received overwhelmingly positive feedback from both teachers and students, reflecting its success in making STEAM education more engaging, relevant, and accessible. Building on this achievement, IBSD is committed to expanding similar knowledge transfer initiatives to empower more young learners with digital competencies and an innovative mindset.