SHAH ALAM, Aug 16 — The PKNS Robotics Challenge has given students with disabilities valuable opportunities to develop their soft skills and build self-confidence through teamwork, said a teacher.
SMK Seksyen 19 teacher-in-charge Suhana Abu Bakar said the technology- and innovation-based programme is an ideal platform for students to develop their talents in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), in line with their strong interest in digital devices.
“Opportunities to participate in competitions like this can be difficult to come by as students with disabilities are sometimes reluctant to socialise, with some of them usually unwilling to mix with others. However, when they took part in this competition, they were able to work well together as a team.
“The participation of four students with disabilities aged between 13 and 15 from our school, who have autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and multiple disabilities, also allowed them to overcome their awkwardness and gain the confidence to interact with people outside their usual environment,” she told Bernama after her team received the Soft Skills Award at the closing ceremony of the PKNS Robotics Challenge here today.
Also present were state executive councillor for Islam and innovation Dr Fahmi Ngah and Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) Group chief executive officer Datuk Mahmud Abbas.
Suhana said participation in the competition also helped shape students’ character and build their confidence, especially when they had to present in front of an audience.
She said multimedia and technology are now among areas of growing interest among parents of students in the Integrated Special Education Programme (PPKI), given the generally strong interest of children with autism in gadgets and technology.
Meanwhile, Mahmud said that as part of the state government’s efforts to promote STEM, PKNS aimed to create initiatives that would provide long-term benefits to the younger generation and produce more competitive human capital capable of excelling in innovation at the global level.
“I hope that in the future, we will see robots performing cleaning tasks at Aneka Walk and driverless buses travelling between business centres around PKNS Complex, hotels and surrounding areas.
“Driverless buses are already being used in Japan, and no other country, including Malaysia, Indonesia or Singapore, has done so. Let us be the first to do it,” he said.
Mahmud stressed that the provision of various facilities and technology-based programmes should not just be about filling vacant spaces or serving as recreational activities, but should incorporate practical learning elements.
He said PKNS is committed to providing environments, ambience and business areas conducive to supporting the development of entrepreneurship and innovation, as such an ecosystem would enable the community, particularly the younger generation, to make the most of the business and technology opportunities provided.
The two-day competition, organised by PKNS’ Innovation Division, drew 48 students from 12 secondary schools in Selangor with the Battle Soccerbot Challenge concept, which tested participants’ ability to design and operate robots using automation technology, programming and 3D-printing.
SMK La Salle emerged champions, followed by SMK Seksyen 9 as runners-up.
