SK Permatang Keledang, Pahang, made history as three of its students emerged as champions in the Junior Creative Category (Technic) at the 26th International Robot Olympiad (IRO), held on 18th and 19th January at the Busan Exhibition & Convention Centre (BEXCO), Korea. This global competition empowers young innovators to collaborate and solve real-world problems through robotics, shaping the next generation of industry leaders.
Matthew Jambai from SK Permatang Keledang, aged 12, also shared his excitement: “Through the workshop and programme, I’ve learned to build and control robots, which has been really fun. This experience makes me feel proud and I want to be a teacher in the future to inspire others in robotics.”
His teacher, Mohd Zulkhairi, said, “Thanks to Petrosains for organising the Petrosains Tech4All programme for Indigenous students, I can witness remarkable improvements in the students’ confidence and skills in robotics learning. I believe this journey will eventually inspire more students to pursue STEM education.”
The competition also saw participation from two other Malaysian teams representing SK Kampong Layau (Johor) and SK Sri Permai (Kelantan). A total of nine Indigenous students competed in the Junior Creative Category, where they were tasked with creating and presenting robotics solutions that address real-world challenges.
The International Robot Olympiad competition, established in 1999, serves as one of the world’s most prominent youth robotics contests, encouraging participants to exchange ideas, hone their problem-solving skills, and innovate for the future.
For SK Kampong Layau Muhammad Fahrin Ammar, an 11-year-old from a fishing family and the eldest of two siblings, the experience has been transformative. “At first, I wasn’t interested in robotics, but I grew to love it after participating in the Petrosains Tech4All workshop and programme. I learned to communicate better, made new friends, and gained confidence. Representing Malaysia for the first time is a dream come true, and I hope to make my family proud.”
11-year-old Suzie Kidiee from SK Sri Permai shared that her robotics journey began with her teacher’s encouragement to join the Petrosains Tech4All programme. Initially finding coding challenging, she gradually mastered it through the workshop and the Petrosains RBTX Challenge 2024, which helped her unlock her potential to innovate and create. Thrilled to compete in Korea for the first time, Suzie shared her aspiration: “I want to be a teacher to inspire others to innovate and achieve their dreams.”
The students’ journey began with Petrosains Tech4All, an initiative in collaboration with Makers@IIUM. It was designed to introduce indigenous students to robotics and STEM learning through hands-on, skill-building activities.
Building on this foundation, the students went on to participate in the Petrosains RBTX Challenge 2024, competing under the newly introduced sub-category, Innovation: Indigenous Culture & Technology. This competition challenged indigenous students to leverage STEM knowledge to create sustainable solutions, showcasing their creativity and ingenuity.
Following their success in the Petrosains RBTX Challenge 2024, the team received an invitation from the International Robot Olympiad Committee to compete in the 26th International Robot Olympiad.
Chief Executive Officer of Petrosains Sdn. Bhd., Ezarisma Azni Mohamad said, “As the social impact arm of PETRONAS, Petrosains is humbled to be entrusted with the mission of democratising STEM education within our communities. As exemplified by programmes such as Petrosains RBTX Challenge and Petrosains Tech4All, we want to inspire a deeper love for STEM, encourage our communities to explore and embrace the transformative opportunities that STEM can offer.”
“I have prepared the students in coding, project design, and public speaking to build their confidence for pitching. These children rarely step outside their communities, so this exposure to new cultures and experiences is invaluable. Seeing them succeed on the world stage is a moment I’ll treasure forever,” said Ezzah Soffia, a teacher from SK Kampong Layau.
Meanwhile, Najmuddin Jaafar, a teacher from SK Sri Permai said, “The biggest impact is in fostering creativity and expanding the students’ ideas. As a teacher, this is one of my greatest achievements to ensure our students thrive.”
The Malaysian teams departed for Busan from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 on 15th January 2025, accompanied by family members, teachers, and supporters. The sendoff was filled with cheers and encouragement as the teams set off to compete at the Busan Exhibition & Convention Centre (BEXCO).
 in the Junior Creative Category, where they were tasked with creating and presenting robotics solutions that address real-world challenges){kind=link}