MIRI: The Faculty of Engineering and Science at Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently partnered with Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri, to organise a two-day MakersMeet X Makers Bootcamp 2023.
The primary goal of the event was to provide a platform for local designers and creators of diverse backgrounds to convene, exchange knowledge, and raise awareness about the MakerSpace or Ruang Daya Cipta (RDC) located at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri.
Additionally, it aimed to stimulate creative thinking and innovation among the participants, fostering a culture of creativity and innovation at the grassroots level in the local population.
The event, attended by over 6,000 visitors, showcased a wide array of interactive and educational activities strategically designed to encourage continuous learning and knowledge cultivation within the community. The programme included nine competitions and 24 workshops, involving the participation of 60 collaborators.
The IEEE Curtin Malaysia Student Branch, in collaboration with Professor Garenth Lim King Hann of the Faculty’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, captivated and engaged visitors with a compelling showcase of interactive projects featuring modern technologies and electronics.
Their innovative showcase included the Arduino Bluetooth Nerf Turret, Wack a Button, Arduino Piano, and a 3D printed RC Car, showcasing the versatility and creativity possible in the field.
The showcase garnered significant attention from the public, especially children, who displayed keen interest in the projects. They also got to try their hands at the interactive games exhibited.
Many expressed curiosity about the construction and functionality of the projects, demonstrating a genuine desire to understand the intricacies of the showcased technologies.
Meanwhile, Foad Motalebi, a lecturer from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, conducted a drone workshop that garnered enthusiastic participation from 30 attendees of varying ages, from youngsters to adults.
The workshop commenced with an insightful presentation by Motalebi on drone operations, highlighting the different types of drones and their versatile applications in our daily lives.
Participants were not only educated on the theoretical aspects but were also provided with a hands-on experience in programming drones for autonomous flight.
The interactive session continued with practical lessons on flying drones, utilising safe micro to medium-sized drones suitable for indoor use. The participants were introduced to fundamental drone flight controls, including roll, pitch, yaw, and throttle.
The workshop progressively guided them from handling micro drones to medium-sized drones, allowing them to practice and master the piloting of drones of various sizes.
The culmination of the workshop was marked by an exhilarating drone challenge, where participants showcased their acquired skills by navigating their drones through hoops and landing them precisely on a landing pad.
The top eight winners, recognised for their agility and precision, were Siti Syamimiee, Jeremy Moim Syed Hafiz Syed Alwi, Peter Tiong, Kingsley Yeo Eng Sing, Shafiyah Darwad, Malyn Mo Tian Yang, and Saiful Abdullah.
Many participants expressed thorough enjoyment and hope to join future drone-related events, emphasising the keen interest in drones and the technologies behind unmanned aerial vehicles among the younger generation.
Curtin Malaysia remains committed to fostering innovative learning experiences for the community, planning more engaging workshops in the near future, especially as it marks its 25th anniversary this year with enhanced community engagement as a key focus of the celebrations.
Professor Tuong-Thuy Vu, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Science, expressed pride in the efforts of the faculty’s staff and students in hosting the event with Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri.
“Our faculty is fully committed to fostering meaningful connections with various organisations in the community. I firmly believe that events like this contribute significantly to enhancing the critical skills of the Miri community. Together, we can create a lasting positive impact on Miri’s future,” he said.
According to Mohd Khadzrie Mohd Ramzie Faizal, the MakersMeet X Makers Boot Camp coordinator, the boot camp programme created a platform for local creators and innovators from various fields and backgrounds to meet and share their knowledge.
It also promoted the existence of the MakerSpace at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri, to the local community.
・The programme encouraged participants to think creatively and innovate. By promoting a culture of lifelong learning and encouraging the cultivation of knowledge in the community, the MakersMeet X Makers Boot Camp also enhanced the collaboration and networking between Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri, and other smart partnership collaborators,・said Mohd Khadzrie.
Information on Curtin Malaysia can be found on its website at www.curtin.edu.my, or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
