Curtin Malaysia IEEE students inspire Bintulu schools with ‘AI for Social Good’ Challenge

Miri, Sarawak – 6 September 2025 — Over 40 bright young minds from SMK Bandar Bintulu and SMK Baru Bintulu took their first steps into the world of artificial intelligence (AI) when the Tech-on-Wheels Initiative, led by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Curtin Malaysia Student Branch (CMSB), rolled into town.

Centred on this year’s Young Innovators Challenge (YIC) theme, ‘AI for Social Good,’ the programme challenged the students to develop AI-powered prototypes tackling pressing local issues – from environmental sustainability to disaster prevention. Projects ranged from smart waste composters to assistive farming tools, demonstrating how rural ingenuity can merge with cutting-edge technology to create meaningful solutions.

The full-day workshop, hosted at SMK Bandar Bintulu, provided students not only with hands-on mentorship but also with a collaborative platform that united peers from across schools. Many participants showed exceptional commitment, voluntarily staying beyond the scheduled hours to refine their ideas and absorb valuable guidance from IEEE mentors.

“This programme has opened students’ eyes to how AI can be applied in everyday life,” said Alyaa Maisarah Abdul Hamid, Head of the IEEE CMSB community outreach team. “It has inspired them to embrace the rapid evolution of technology and think critically about its role in solving real-world challenges.”

Teachers Mohd. Ikfan Hakim Mohd. Fisol and Nurul Ain Jelanni from SMK Baru Bintulu praised the initiative, noting its ability to boost students’ confidence and spark long-term interest in STEM-related fields. “The experience goes beyond just project development; it motivates them to see future opportunities in technology and innovation,” they said.

The event also highlighted IEEE’s broader commitment to community outreach. IEEE CMSB Advisor Professor Garenth Lim King Hann emphasised, “We are deeply committed to advancing humanity through technology. By bringing initiatives like Tech-on-Wheels to schools in Bintulu and other rural areas, we aim to improve digital literacy and empower the next generation with essential technological skills.”

The Tech-on-Wheels Initiative, supported by the IEEE Industry Applications Society (IAS), the Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS), and Women in Engineering (WIE), continues to build momentum across Sarawak, inspiring students to turn curiosity into innovation and ideas into impact.

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The IEEE CMSB Community Outreach Team in a group photo with students and teachers from SMK Bandar and SMK Baru Bintulu.

Students and IEEE mentors brainstorm AI applications for their projects.