Inclusive, accessible education is a hallmark of our education approach at QIU. In line with this guiding principle, the Faculty of Computing and Engineering (FCE) collaborated with Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Newcastle Australia Institute of Higher Education Singapore (NAIHE), the Women Engineers Section of The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM), and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) to organise a STEM programme titled “I am a girl; I am an Engineer” on 13 August 2025 at MH Hotel, Ipoh.
The programme involved underprivileged (B40) Form 3 female students from SMK Menglembu, Ipoh, and aimed to inspire young girls to pursue careers in engineering and renewable energy. Through hands-on workshops using renewable energy STEM kits, participants were exposed to prototype-building activities and engineering concepts in an engaging learning environment.
The initiative was strongly supported by QIU-FCE Dean, Assoc. Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Mah Siew Kien, who also serves as Vice-Chairman of the Women Engineers Section under IEM. Under her leadership, 10 female students from QIU-FCE volunteered as student facilitators to guide and assist the school students throughout the workshop sessions.
The community project was mainly funded by Yayasan Tenaga Nasional through the UNITEN YCU Community Energy Grant 2025 and led by Dr. Ir. Chua Yaw Long from UNITEN together with collaborators from UNITEN, UPSI, NAIHE, QIU, and industry representatives.
This programme supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 4: Quality Education through hands-on STEM learning opportunities, SDG 5: Gender Equality by empowering young female students in engineering, SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy through renewable energy awareness, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure via prototype-based learning, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities by supporting B40 students, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through collaboration among universities, professional bodies, and schools.
