UTAR collaborates with iTrainKids for 3D printing course

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) enters into a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with iTrainKids to organise 3D printing course that focuses on creativity and innovation for children aged between 10 to 15 years old. UTAR Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science academics will work together with iTrainKids to provide the 3D printing course content and assist in the Train-The-Trainer (TTT) workshop to train the participants to conduct 3D printing classes for three levels known as beginner, intermediate and advanced.

From left: Prof Goi, Prof Ewe, Dato’ Eric Ku and Denebe Alradikin during MoA signing ceremony

The 3D printing course will enable students to embark on innovation and creative thinking where they will build the solution to solve real-world problems by using 3D printing for prototyping and MVP machine. Both parties will also jointly organise 3D printing competition to inspire more people to showcase their design and improve their skills. Apart from that, UTAR and iTrainKids will explore possible collaborations to conduct 3D printing programmes to ASEAN countries in future to inspire more people to learn new skills or refine their existing skills.

The signing ceremony held at UTAR Sungai Long Campus on 10 February 2022 was signed by UTAR President Ir Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat and iTrainKids Sdn Bhd Executive Director Dato’ Eric Ku Yee Fei. Witnessing the signing of MoA were UTAR Vice President of Internationalisation and Academic Development Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min and iTrainKids Sdn Bhd General Manager Denebe Alradikin Bin Zainal Abidin.

Prof Ewe said, “3D printing has many advantages over traditional processes, including speed-to-market, lower costs, and less waste. So far, 3D printing has resulted in a massive burst of innovation across a wide range of industries. This signing of MoA will undoubtedly broaden children’s horizons, driving their innovation and sparking new technologies that could bring a positive impact to society.”

Dato’ Eric Ku said, “We are pleased to collaborate with UTAR as we believe the academic and industry collaboration will immensely benefit the young potential leaders. Don’t enrol your kids in just any class, sign them up for a lifelong quest. A quest to build STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematical) powers, learn new tools, develop cognitive thinking abilities, and stun their school bullies with original app creations. Children who ace this progressive quest can ace life’s biggest tests! They can invent new possibilities and be the hero everyone needs by making a world-changing impact.”

Dato’ Eric Ku further mentioned, “Many 3D Printing courses out there focus on 3D printer and 3D software usage rather than focusing on students' innovation and creativity. Our innovative 3D printing course aims to close this gap. Our course teaches students the innovation and creative problem-solving process using 3D printing technology and 3D printer as a tool to test and validate solutions or even small-scale production. The course has three levels with 12 1.5-hour classes per level.”

Seated from left: Prof Goi, Prof Ewe, Dato’ Eric Ku, Denebe Alradikin with staff from UTAR and iTrainKids