Malaysia reigns supreme at BIRT 2025, winning across all categories
Husini (fourth right), Lai (fifth right), Mariam (third left) and others in a photocall with team Girl's Lead from SMK (P) Temenggong Ibrahim (Johor) who emerged champion In the Upper Secondary Robomission category.
MIRI (May 11): Malaysian schools dominated the Borneo International Robot Tournament 2025 (BIRT 2025), securing top spots across all categories in the prestigious regional robotics event held here from May 7 to 10.
Young innovators from primary to tertiary levels demonstrated their technical prowess and problem-solving skills, sweeping first place in all five categories namely the Robomission Battle (Elementary), Robomission Battle (Lower), Robomission Battle (Upper), RoboSports (Double Tennis), and the Open Category.
In the Elementary Robomission Battle category (ages nine to 12), Team Superhero 2 from SJKC Sacred Heart, led by Hoe Qi En and Sim Hui Enn under mentor Chin Seik Fung, topped the competition.
Close behind were fellow Malaysian teams from SJK (C) Perempuan China and SJKC Tung Hua Sibu, finishing second and third, while fourth place went to SJK (C) Connaught 2, Selangor.
The Lower Secondary Robomission category (ages 13 to 15) saw another Malaysian sweep, with Team Dex Ngu from SMK Chung Hua (CF) Miri securing first place. Impressively, the same school's team Kay Kay and team Varan took third and fourth place, while team Bentara from SMK Dato' Bentara Luar, Johor claimed second.
In the Upper Secondary Robomission Battle (ages 16 to 18), team Girl's Lead from SMK (P) Temenggong Ibrahim, Johor, emerged victorious, while SMK Chung Hua (CF) Miri's Explorers placed second, followed by I-Roboreg from IPGM Kampus Sarawak in third.
The RoboSports Double Tennis category (ages 11 to 18) saw Team One from SMK Chung Hua (CF) Miri claim gold, edging out strong Taiwanese competitors.
Taiwan's OFDL Speed and OFDL Dynamics secured second and third places, while Malaysia's Team NK1 from SJK (C) Naam Kheung, Kuala Lumpur, placed fourth.
Malaysia's dominance extended to the Open Category, with team RKC from Robot Kids Centre securing first place.
Team Laivin, a collaboration between IPGM Kampus Sarawak and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) , finished second, while team VAK.R7 from IPG Malaysia Sarawak came in third.
The Borneo International Robot Tournament serves a key platform for youth across Asia to engage in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through friendly yet competitive events. This year's results highlight Malaysia's rising trajectory in the regional robotics scene.
The BIRT 2025 has attracted a total of 220 teams, including 167 from across Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, in his speech during the closing ceremony of the tournament, which attracted participants from countries like China, Macau, Thailand, Vietnam and Taiwan, served as a powerful testament to the creativity, resilience, and collaborative spirit of young minds from around the world.
'The participants brought not just their technical skills, but also a spirit of unity and forward-thinking. Their ability to think critically, work in teams, and tackle problems with fresh ideas was truly inspiring, qualities that will serve them well in shaping the solutions of tomorrow,' he said.
Sagah's text speech was read by his ministry's head of services division Husini Bakir.
He further noted that his ministry's sponsorship of the tournament this year reflects its enduring commitment to nurturing young talent and fostering a culture of innovation not just in Sarawak, but across the region.
'Supporting platforms like BIRT is essential to empowering the next generation of leaders and problem-solvers,' he said.
He thanked SMK Chung Hua (CF) Miri for their exemplary leadership in hosting the event, acknowledging their dedication and efforts in ensuring the tournament's success.
Also present were Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts I Datuk Sebastian Ting, Miri Education Officer Mariam Monek representing Sarawak Education department director Omar Mahli and organsiing chairlady, who is also SMK Chung Hua (CF) Miri principal Lai Jia Ling. Borneo International Robot Tournament 2025 lead
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