In a bold stride towards strengthening Malaysia’s STEM education landscape, the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) recently hosted a Train the Trainer session tailored for secondary school educators in the Klang Valley.

Conducted in partnership with Penang-based robotics specialist Cytron Technologies Sdn Bhd, the half-day workshop was part of APU’s broader corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative and took place on 12 April 2025 at APU’s campus.

A Practical Step Towards Inclusive STEM Education

The session, which ran from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm, brought together a dozen teachers and their students for hands-on training in essential STEM tools — specifically, the “Rero micro:bit” platform and the “Cyborg Challenge”. These components are central to Cytron’s education outreach programme, known as the Rero EDUteam, which has been instrumental in introducing coding and robotics to schoolchildren across Malaysia.

Spearheaded by Assistant Professor Ir EUR ING Ts Dr Lau Chee Yong, Head of the Visionary AI Studio at APU, the workshop was further supported by Professor Ir EUR ING Ts Dr Vinesh Thiruchelvam, APU’s Chief Innovation and Enterprise Officer. Both leaders played pivotal roles in guiding the session’s educational goals and reinforcing APU’s long-standing commitment to tech-forward learning.

Cytron and APU: A Partnership with Purpose

Cytron Technologies, headquartered in Bukit Mertajam, is renowned for developing accessible robotics and electronic solutions that empower students, educators, and engineers alike. Its education arm, Rero EDUteam, launched the Rero Annual Championship (RAC) in 2016 with support from the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), establishing a beginner-friendly entry point into the world of robotics competitions.

"Our vision is to bring robotics and coding to the masses, ensuring every child interested in learning has the opportunity to do so," said Ms Cheryl Ng, Chief Education Officer of Cytron. "This vision aligns perfectly with Rero EDUteam’s tagline: ‘Bringing Robotics and Coding to the Masses.’”

The April training session served multiple objectives — equipping teachers with certification to deliver robotics education, providing structured modules for student instruction, and expanding access to competitions that cultivate technical confidence from an early age.

Real Impact, Real Stories

Among the highlights of the day was the presence of Lum Mun Chak, a participant in Cytron-led activities since 2019. His early exposure to robotics through similar initiatives has now led him to enrol in APU’s Diploma in Mechatronic Engineering. His journey reflects a tangible outcome of the collaboration between APU and Cytron — a partnership that not only trains but transforms.

"We're witnessing the formation of a small but vibrant Cytron-APU community," noted Prof Vinesh. “This organic growth demonstrates how initiatives like today's teacher training can create lasting educational pathways for students interested in technology and engineering.”

Several current students in APU’s School of Engineering (SoE) share a similar backstory, having first discovered the university through outreach activities and later deciding to pursue formal education here.

Laying the Foundation for the Future

The Train the Trainer initiative goes beyond a single morning of workshops. It is a strategic investment in the future of STEM education — one that begins with empowering teachers to deliver transformative experiences in classrooms across the Klang Valley and beyond. Participants left the session with formal certification, along with teaching materials and lesson plans to implement their knowledge effectively.

By providing educators with access to cutting-edge tools and hands-on learning, APU and Cytron Technologies are not only helping to modernise classrooms but are also laying the groundwork for a future generation of Malaysian innovators and technologists.

As these newly trained teachers return to their schools, the ripple effect of this CSR effort promises to be far-reaching — opening doors for students to explore technology, think creatively, and perhaps, like Lum Mun Chak, take their first steps towards a future in engineering.