Curtin Malaysia students mentor local college peers in practical tech workshop

Miri, Sarawak – 17 October 2025 – In a strong show of student leadership and community partnership, first-year engineering students from Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently led a hands-on Tinkercad workshop for students from Sarawak Skills and Kolej Komuniti Miri, bringing classroom knowledge to life in a real-world setting.

The initiative, part of the Curtin Malaysia Community Engagement Scheme 2025 (CMCE 2025), saw 11 Curtin Malaysia student mentors guiding participants through practical electronics and programming projects using the Tinkercad platform. The event not only reinforced key technical concepts but also sparked collaboration and innovation across institutions.

“It’s inspiring to see first-year students already stepping into mentorship roles,” said Dr. Chew Ing Ming, the lecturer leading the initiative. “This is the kind of early industry-relevant exposure that shapes confident, capable engineers.”

The participants worked in teams to complete two project tasks: designing a 3D sensor bracket and programming multi-input/output controls using code blocks and a microcontroller via Tinkercad. With their Curtin mentors providing close guidance, all teams successfully completed their projects – three of which stood out for exceptional creativity and technical skill.

For the Curtin student mentors, the experience offered more than just technical reinforcement; it cultivated leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills in a collaborative setting. The activity also supported the learning outcomes of their Electrical Systems (ELEN1000) unit, demonstrating how engineering principles can serve society and drive innovation.

“We were teaching, but also learning at the same time,” said one of the student mentors. “Explaining complex concepts to others deepened our own understanding and made us think differently about engineering applications.”

Feedback from both Sarawak Skills and Kolej Komuniti Miri was overwhelmingly positive, with strong interest in future collaborations, including joint workshops, technical staff upskilling, and student exchange initiatives.

Curtin Malaysia continues to champion community-focused education, encouraging students to apply their skills for social impact while building confidence and capability through real engagement beyond the classroom.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, or TikTok.

Dr. Chew (front row, third left) with Curtin Malaysia mentors and Kolej Komuniti Miri participants.

Dr. Chew (front row, third left) with Curtin mentors and Sarawak Skills trainees after their successful workshop.