Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Engineering and Science co-hosts MakersMeet X Makers Bootcamp 2023 with Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri

Miri – 15 January 2024 – The Faculty of Engineering and Science of Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently collaborated with Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri to host a two-day MakersMeet X Makers Bootcamp 2023.

The main aim 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 spark creative thinking and innovation among the participants, fostering a culture of creativity and innovation at 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. These cutting-edge technologies showcased the versatility and creativity possible in the field.

The showcase garnered significant attention from the public, especially from children, who displayed a 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. The 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 bin Syed Alwi, Peter Tiong, Kingsley Yeo Eng Sing, Shafiyah Binti Darwad, Malyn Mo Tian Yang, and Saiful Abdullah.

Many of the participants said they thoroughly enjoyed participating in the workshop and expressed hopes of being able to join future drone-related events, underscoring the keen interest in drones and the technologies behind unmanned aerial vehicles in general among the young.

Indeed, Curtin Malaysia remains committed to fostering innovative learning experiences for the community and is planning many more engaging workshops in the near future, particularly as it is marking its 25th anniversary this year and enhanced community engagement is a key foci of the celebrations.

Professor Tuong-Thuy Vu, Dean of Faculty of Engineering and Science, said he was proud of the efforts of the staff and students of the faculty 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 curtin.edu.my, or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok.

Visitors at the IEEE Curtin Malaysia Student Branch booth

Group photo at the close of Drone Operations Workshop conducted by Foad Motalebi