Challenged to excel

EXPERIENCE is the best teacher as 10 SMK Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi, Sepang students learnt recently. All it took were a wristwatch and a mosquito trap as well as overcoming challenges to gain a far-reaching experience outside their classroom.

The students, divided into two teams, competed at the recent Young Inventors Challenge 2018

─ an international innovation and invention competition ─ organised by the Association of Science, Technology and Innovation.

Nurul Ira Hasmieza Hasli, one of the 10 students, said: “We first got to know about the Young Inventors Challenge through our participation in DNeX CampBijak. We were selected to represent our school in this competition.

“Of course, we were happy to be chosen but at the same time we were really scared, and we knew we must give our best.”

A programme by Dagang NeXchange Berhad (DNeX), DNeX CampBijak aimed to improve access to education for underprivileged students through experiential learning of science and technology. The programme leverages on tools and the Education Ministry’s science and mathematics syllabi, facilitated by certified educators, teachers and social entrepreneurs.

DNeX executive deputy chairman Datuk Samsul Husin said: “DNeX believes that everyone can achieve excellence, given the right opportunity.

“And DNeX CampBijak is meant to provide such an opportunity for children to excel. It also strives to instil self-confidence into participants. The programme is designed with continuous guidance so that participants can become successful and contribute to their families, communities and country.”