Sarawak’s first ever IC Design Make-A-Thon 2024 set to drive innovation, nurture world-class local talent

Shariman (second left) photographed with Team 2K60P comprising (from left) Wong Chuan Yee, Marcus Telajan Timang and Alan Lagang at the inaugural IC Design Make-A-Thon 2024.

By DayakDaily Team

MIRI, Oct 7: Sarawak Microelectronics Design (SMD) Semiconductor Sdn Bhd’s IC Design Make-A-Thon 2024, held from Oct 4 to 6, has made its mark as Sarawak’s first-ever initiative of its kind, focusing on nurturing local talent to create a world-class, innovation-driven workforce.

According to SMD Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shariman Jamil, this competition offers a unique and invaluable platform that fosters essential twenty-first-century skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, and innovation by pairing university students and secondary school participants.

“The secondary students gain the opportunity to learn from the more experienced university students, while the latter enhance their leadership and mentoring abilities.

“This exchange promotes teamwork, problem-solving, and creative thinking skills that are not only fundamental to success in today’s workforce but are also critical in the ever-evolving semiconductor industry,” he said in a recent press release.

He also mentioned that as the participants progress, the circuits they have built today can be miniaturised and integrated into a single chip, known as an Integrated Circuit (IC)—the building block for all modern electronics.

By successfully tackling this challenge, the participants have shown that they possess the skills and determination to dive deeper into the field of technology.

The event saw the participation of 40 students with 10 teams, comprising university students from Curtin University, International College of Advanced Technology Sarawak Miri (iCATS), and local secondary schools.

The champion title for the IC Design Make-A-Thon went to Team 2K60P, comprising Alan Lagang and Marcus Telajan Timang from iCATS, along with Liu Huan Xuan and Wong Chuan Yee from SMK Chung Hua, Miri.

The team will bring home RM5,000 and will be flying to Kuching for the cash prize giving.

Second place was awarded to Team Teamwork, featuring Nur Sarah Abdul Rahman and Jensine Hwong Jia Xin from Curtin University, alongside Natasha Lee Yu Xing and Janice Ngui Li Ting from SMK St Columba, Miri, who will take home RM3,000.

Meanwhile, third place went to Team Silicon Pig with members Arthur Tiong Tze Yuan and James Tai Chun Ket from Curtin University, joined by Daniella Baun Alfred Sagan and Magdelina Aren Benjamin from SMK Riam, Miri.

Lastly, the People’s Choice Award was won by Team Teh C Peng, which includes Lincoln Bradley Sinel Lawrence and Ling Chong Yee from Curtin University, along with Abdul Aleem Muhammad Nazri from Riam Road Secondary School and Adrian Paul Azlan Benjamin from SMK St Joseph, Miri.

The event, featuring workshops and mentoring sessions led by industry experts and academicians, was organised by SMD Semiconductor, with the support from Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Sarawak (MEITD), Sarawak Research and Development Council (SRDC), Chumbaka and Curtin University Malaysia.

The Make-A-Thon aims to promote chip design and advance STEM education within schools and Universities.

The event will continue its journey to Sibu from Oct 25 to 27, before concluding in Kuching from Nov 1 to 3. — DayakDaily