By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 25: Team REFINITY from SMK Chung Hua (CF) Miri has emerged as the overall champion of the FIRST LEGO League Malaysia 2026, earning the opportunity to represent Malaysia at the FIRST Championship 202 in Houston, Texas.
In a statement today, ten-member team clinched the national title at the 17th edition of the competition, held at Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 25.
Organised by Sasbadi Holdings Berhad, the competition brought together 920 young participants, including a team from Hong Kong, to showcase their skills in robotics, engineering, innovation and problem-solving.
Team REFINITY comprises Elise Yong Jia Yi, Philip Lee Ngee How, Sasha Liz Liew, Fung Marcus, Edberg Chieng Yinn Feng, Jevryl Ecolle Yong, Ngu Wen Heng, Dylan Hii Yong Hang, Hera Lee Xi Le and Renee Sim Yi Ying.
The team was coached by Darren Ng Kah Loong from Tesslass Miri, with accompanying teachers Adelyne Irene Anak Gurineng and Kho Tad Song from SMK Chung Hua (CF) Miri.
The victory secured the team’s opportunity to compete at the FIRST LEGO League World Festival, held as part of the FIRST Championship 2027 in Houston, Texas, from April 28 to May 1 next year.
The international event will bring together young robotics teams from around the world to showcase their engineering and technological capabilities.
This year’s competition carried the theme “UNEARTHED”, challenging participants to explore archaeology through science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Teams were tasked with applying robotics design, programming, scientific investigation and creative thinking to develop solutions inspired by archaeological discoveries and real-world challenges.
The competition featured two categories: FIRST LEGO League Challenge for students aged nine to 16, and FIRST LEGO League Explore for children aged six to 10.
Beyond technical performance, participants were also assessed on skills such as critical thinking, communication, collaboration and problem-solving.
Team REFINITY’s victory highlights the achievements of young Sarawakian students in robotics and STEM, as well as the role of educators and coaches in developing their technical skills and preparing them for competitive platforms.
The Awards Presentation and Closing Ceremony was attended by School Management Division director Mohd Hanafi Samad, representing Education director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad.
Also present were TAR UMT president Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei and Sasbadi Holdings Berhad group executive director Law Yi Chian. TAR UMT served as the competition’s strategic partner and venue sponsor.
With the national title secured, Team REFINITY will prepare for its next challenge in Houston, where it will have the opportunity to showcase its skills alongside teams from other countries. — DayakDaily
