UTAR reaffirmed its commitment to innovative education with a series of impactful programmes held on 29 and 30 August 2025, bringing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and STEAM learning directly to schools at Pay Fong Middle School and Kuen Cheng High School.
Prof Dato’ Ewe delivering a talk at Pay Fong Middle School
UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat presented a keynote talk titled How Can We Prepare for the Era of Artificial Intelligence? (我们如何为人工智能时代做好准备？) to the students of Pay Fong Middle School on 29 August 2025. The following day, he delivered another keynote talk titled Talent Development in the Era of Artificial Intelligence (人工智能时代的人才培养) to the teachers. In both sessions, Prof Dato’ Ewe discussed the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence in shaping education and talent development.
Students listening attentively to Prof Dato’ Ewe
Following the talks, a Generative AI Workshop: Prompt Engineering 101 for Educators was held on 30 August 2025, facilitated by UTAR Faculty of Creative Industries Department of Modern Languages Head Mr Maxwell Sim Yik Seng; Faculty of Education Head of Programme of PG Dip in Educational Tech and Master in Educational Tech Programmes Dr Kristina Francis; and Centre for Foundation Studies (Sungai Long Campus) academic Gs Ts ChM Dr Amelia Chiang Kar Mun. The session introduced participants to the fundamentals of designing effective prompts for Generative AI. Teachers learned how role, task, context, and output format, when paired with clear constraints, can enhance teaching and learning. The workshop also featured hands-on exercises, enabling participants to develop classroom-specific prompts with applications across the humanities, STEM, and languages.
School Principal Ms Ng Swee Lai (middle) presenting a token of appreciation to Prof Dato’ Ewe and the facilitators Mr Maxwell Sim (far left), Dr Kristina (second from left), and Dr Amelia Chiang (third from right)
Clockwise from top left: Dr Amelia Chiang, Mr Maxwell Sim and Dr Kristina at the Generative AI Workshops
Meanwhile, at Kuen Cheng High School on 29 August 2025, UTAR STEAM Outreach, in collaboration with the Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES), Faculty of Accountancy and Management (FAM), and Division of Programme Promotion (DPP), conducted a series of hands-on workshops introducing students to cutting-edge topics and career pathways.
LKC FES academic Ir Ts Dr Koay Seong Chun’s 3D Print: From Concept to Creation, demonstrated how digital designs become physical objects and highlighted opportunities in Mechanical and Materials Engineering. LKC FES academic Ts Dr Teoh Lay Eng’s Green Transportation and Mobility for Smart Cities, showcased Malaysia’s green initiatives and illustrated how mathematics in applied sciences and engineering can solve real-world transportation challenges. FAM academic Dr Kalaivani Jayaraman’s See Yourself Clearly: A Journey Through Illusions, Traits & Talents, guided students through personality tests, optical illusions and soft-skills discussions linked to career choices.
Both events reflected UTAR’s dedication to delivering quality education, fostering innovation, and supporting the Sustainable Development Goals. Through these initiatives, UTAR continues to nurture future-ready students and empower educators with tools and knowledge to enhance teaching effectiveness and student engagement.
Students learning 3D printing fundamentals and engineering career opportunities with Dr Koay
Green Transportation and Mobility for Smart Cities workshop
Students exploring personality traits, illusions and soft-skills development
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