Lee: Interest in robotics helps stimulate young minds
MIRI: Promoting digital development and having interest in robotics are among many ways to stimulate young minds to become innovative and creative, especially in the electronics and information technology ( IT) fields.
Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin said children should be encouraged to be involved in these fields to nurture their interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
In stating this, he assured all that the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports ( MOTACYS) was fully supportive of the initiatives, and would assist in any way possible.
Lee was speaking at the opening ceremony of the ‘Borneo International Invitational Robot Football Competition’ at Bintang Megamall here yesterday.
The inaugural event here, which concludes today, gathers 48 teams from Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand, and Malaysia, comprising students aged between nine and 18.
The competition is jointly run by MOTACYS, Sarawak Education Department, SMK Chung Hua Miri and Sasbadi Holdings Bhd, and supported by Miri City Council, Bintang Megamall, Meritz Hotel and TessLab.
Meanwhile SMK Chung Hua Miri principal Albert Ong Ngee Hong, who is also the event’s organising chairman, said the key objectives of the competition are to instil in students the interest in STEM, and also to promote the local tourism industry.
“Our Sarawak team has gone overseas to countries like India, Costa Rica and Thailand, to participate in the World Robotics Olympiads and other international robotic competitions, and gain experience,” he said.