IT was a sweet success for Penang when they emerged as the overall champion in the National Finals of the Malaysia Techlympics 2022 at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
The Penang team clinched 7 gold, 7 silver and 2 bronze medals.
A total of 400 participants from 20 schools represented Penang. The state contingent was led by Tech Dome Penang chief executive officer Khoo Boo Wooi.
The 400 participants advanced to the National Finals after taking part in the state-level and zone-level competitions.
Penang had almost full attendance at the competition held for the first time by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti). Sarawak and Pahang sent their full teams.
The Malaysia Techlympics introduced 25 categories with five themes, namely Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, Space Exploration, Drones and their Applications, Popular Technologies and Innovations for People’s Well-being and Environmental Sustainability.
The Malaysia Techlympics recorded a total of 1.03 million participants consisting of participants aged seven to 30 years.
A total of 4,320 students from 927 teams and 285 schools throughout Malaysia successfully advanced to the National Finals.
“Penang has all the while been noticed to have high potential as many of its students have a lot of ideas.
“I believe the state is on the right track with its Penang STEM 4.0. initiative that is supported by Penang Maths Platform, Penang Science Cluster, Penang Skills Development Corporation and Tech Dome Penang.
“We did quite well and we will definitely prepare earnestly if the competition is held again next year,” Khoo said.
Khoo said the Penang contingent was also grateful to the state government and Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow for providing 10 buses to ferry the primary and secondary students and teachers to Kuala Lumpur for the tournament.
The 20 schools which represented Penang were SMK Datuk Haji Ahmad Badawi, SJKC Keng Koon, SK Batu Kawan, SMK Methodist Nibong Tebal, SMJK Chung Ling Butterworth, SK St Mark (M) Butterworth, SMK Seberang Jaya, SMS Tun Syed Sheh Shahabudin, SMK Permai Indah, SJKC Jit Sin B, SJKC Han Chiang, SMJK Convent Datuk Keramat, SMJK Heng Ee, SMJK Sacred Heart, SK Sungai Nibong, SK Seri Penanti, SK Sungai Dua, SJKC Li Tek Cawangan, SMK Convent Green Lane and SMKA (L) Al-Mashoor.
Also present at the prize-giving ceremony was Mosti deputy secretary-general Dr K. Nagulendran.