The world of technology and innovation is no longer foreign to the special needs community, as 130 students from 15 special education schools and PPKI units across seven states nationwide participated in the National RoboCode Competition held at Ar-Riyadah Residence, Kuala Nerus.

The programme, organised by the Centre for STEM Foundation, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) in collaboration with Yayasan TM, was Phase 3 of the RoboCode project under the Yayasan TM Social Impact Grant (YTM SIG).

This competition was part of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at providing early exposure to special needs students in the fields of robotics and digital programming.

According to RoboCode Programme Director and UMT’s STEM Foundation Programme lecturer Wan Mohd Tarmizi Wan Mohd Yusuf, the project began modestly in 2020 with only two schools in Terengganu, but has since expanded nationwide through the support of Yayasan TM’s social impact grant.

“We are proud to witness this remarkable growth. From just two schools at the beginning, the initiative has now expanded to 15 special education schools and PPKI units across the country. This proves that with proper guidance and opportunities, special needs students too can master digital skills and future technologies,” he said.

The year-long programme focuses on special needs students, particularly those with hearing impairments, autism, dyslexia, and learning difficulties, using a fun and interactive learning approach.

This approach not only provides an early understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), but also helps build self-confidence, creative thinking skills, and teamwork among participants.

“Such exposure is crucial to ensure that special needs students are not left behind in the wave of digitalisation and global technological advancement. It also aligns with the nation’s aspiration toward an inclusive and tech-savvy society,” Wan Mohd Tarmizi added.

The project serves as a pioneering model for inclusive digital education, with plans to expand to more schools in the future.

Publshed by:

Corporate Communications Office

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu