Curtin Malaysia IEEE students drive AI innovation in Limbang schools

Miri, Sarawak – 5 September 2025 – Artificial intelligence (AI) took centre stage in Limbang as students from three secondary schools joined forces under the Tech-on-Wheels Initiative, spearheaded by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Curtin Malaysia Student Branch (CMSB).

Hosted by SMK Mendamit, the programme brought together 15 student teams from SMK Mendamit, SMK Limbang, and SMK Trusan in Lawas, with SMK Trusan students travelling a significant distance to Limbang to take part. Their determination highlighted the growing passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) across northern Sarawak.

This year’s challenge tasked students with enhancing real-world solutions through AI. Among the standout projects was a Pest Monitoring System that evolved from simple sensors to an AI-driven object recognition tool, dramatically boosting accuracy and efficiency. Such projects underscored the potential of rural students to harness cutting-edge technologies to address local community needs.

STEM Coordinator Fadlin Ilyana Roslan said hosting the programme gave the participating students hands-on exposure to AI applications rarely accessible in rural settings. Co-head organiser Diandra Emilia Winston added that the students displayed remarkable enthusiasm. “With the support of our mentors, we guided them to reimagine their projects with AI integration, and their creativity exceeded expectations,” she said.

The programme also celebrated the strong collaboration between the schools and IEEE mentors, with SMK Mendamit presenting tokens of appreciation to the CMSB team. Many student groups are now continuing their projects under ongoing IEEE mentorship, ensuring long-term impact.

IEEE CMSB Advisor Professor Garenth Lim King Hann stressed that the initiative reflects IEEE’s mission to advance technology for humanity. “Our focus is on empowering rural schools with technological knowledge to strengthen digital literacy. Through Tech-on-Wheels, supported by the IEEE Industry Applications Society, Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, and Women in Engineering, we are preparing students for the future of innovation,” he remarked.

The Tech-on-Wheels Initiative has become an effective platform for collaboration, inspiration, and empowerment in Sarawak schools, bridging distances and sparking innovation where it is needed most.

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SMK Trusan and SMK Limbang students brainstorm AI prototypes with their SMK Mendamit hosts.

The group photos of IEEE mentors and students joining the workshops in SMK Limbang.