By Dayangku Hidayatul
KUCHING, July 18: Kicking off with robotic flair, the ‘Smart Kid, Smart City Challenge: RoboWalk 2026’ saw more than 100 youths parading their imaginative creations at MBKS Boulevard today.
Officiated by Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng, the event saw children and their families gathering for an evening of fun while promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.
According to Wee, the programme encourages children to think creatively and apply technology in meaningful ways through their self-made robotic inventions.
“A Smart City is not about robots, computers or even artificial intelligence (AI). The most important part of a Smart City is smart people.
“All of you here tonight are the smart people who will shape Kuching’s future,” he said in his speech before flagging off the RoboWalk parade.
He encouraged children to dream big and believe in their ideas, noting that every invention begins with imagination.
He said one day, today’s participants could create robots that clean rivers, assist the elderly or develop technologies that make cities greener and safer.
Wee also stressed the importance of STEM education in equipping children with problem-solving skills, teamwork and resilience.
“Winning is wonderful, but learning something new is even more important. Every mistake teaches us something, and every challenge helps us become stronger,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to parents, teachers, organisers, and partners for their collective efforts in inspiring a generation of young innovators.
The event is part of MBKS’ efforts to nurture a generation that is creative, confident, and ready for a future driven by technology and innovation. — DayakDaily
