It is a great pleasure to see the National Robotics Competition (NRC) being held for the seventh consecutive year. The NRC has successfully raised interest in Science and Technology, and robotics among our students. There are now robotics clubs in school which have raised students’ interest in this field. Therefore schools need to place greater emphasis on robotics.
It is only through greater participation that the ministry’s goal of producing “all-rounder” students; ones who excel in scholastic and non-scholastic areas, as well possess good values and morals, will become a reality.
The Ministry of Education will continue in its pursuit of encouraging students to participate in co-curriculum activities such as the NRC. The NRC not only gives students exposure to the field of robotics, it provides an inspirational learning experience for students to discover engineering and technology by combining education with hands-on challenges that enables students to create their own solutions. The NRC inspires teams to research, build, and experiment, and by doing so, they go through the entire process of creating ideas, solving problems, and overcoming obstacles, while gaining confidence in their abilities to use technology in an innovative way. Through participation in the NRC, students will be able to develop a positive perception of science and technology and see how these fields relate to their future.
All our hard work through the robotics programme and NRC has borne fruit. I am particularly proud of our robotics teams who have brought glory to our nation. Malaysia has been the overall champion at the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) for two consecutive years, in 2009 and 2010. This triumph demonstrates that our students can surpass their peers from developed countries. It will certainly motivate out students to take a keener interest in subjects such as Science and Engineering. This is an important achievement for us as it marks an important milestone in our efforts to build a strong foundation in Science and Technology. As host of the 2012 WRO, we will welcome the participants to Malaysia with pride.
As such, we need to be prepared. I would like to urge students and teachers to continue in their effort to gain knowledge, acquire skills, and excel in Mathematics, Science and Technology. I also hope that the relevant sections in the ministry will identify the actions that need to be taken to ensure wider use of robotics in the curriculum before 2012.
Y.A.B. TAN SRI DATO’ HAJI MUHYIDDIN BIN HAJI MOHD YASSIN
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Malaysia
To provide a powerful learning platform to enable students to cope with skills those are essential for success in the 21st century.
To develop and strengthen critical and creative thinking and social skills those are essential prerequisites for success in further studies and future careers. These skills include:
Patron: | Y.A.B. Tan Sri Dato’ Haji Muhyiddin bin Haji Mohd. Yassin Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Ministry of Education, Malaysia |
Advisor: | Y. Bhg. Dato’ Abd. Ghafar bin Mahmud Director-General of Education Ministry of Education, Malaysia |
Chairperson: | Y. Bhg Dr. Haji Zahri bin Aziz Deputy Director-General of Education (Education Operations) Ministry of Education, Malaysia |
Deputy Chairperson: | Tuan Haji. Muhamat Roli bin Haji Hassan Director Co-curriculum and Arts Division Ministry of Education, Malaysia |
Vice Chairpersons: | Encik Law King Hui Managing Director Sasbadi Sdn. Bhd. Prof. Madya Dr. Irmawati binti Ramli Director of Education, Perlis Education Department Director of Education, Kedah Education Department Director of Education, Pulau Pinang Education Department Director of Education, Perak Education Department Director of Education, Selangor Education Department Director of Education, Federal Territory Education Department Director of Education, Negeri Sembilan Education Department Director of Education, Melaka Education Department Director of Education, Johor Education Department Director of Education, Pahang Education Department Director of Education, Terengganu Education Department Director of Education, Kelantan Education Department Director of Education, Sarawak Education Department Director of Education, Sabah Education Department Director of Education, WP Labuan Education Department |
Secretary: | Puan Roslina binti Mohd Rosli Principal Assistant Director Co-curriculum and Arts Division Ministry of Education, Malaysia Encik Kevin Wan Encik Low Yoon Keong |