KUCHING: Sarawak continues to strengthen its position as a regional hub for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education through the organisation of the Borneo International Robot Tournament (BIRT) 2026, which will take place from May 6 to 9, 2026, at the Meritz Hotel, Miri.
Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, said the prestigious tournament is supported by the Sarawak Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) in collaboration with Sasbadi Learning Solutions and with the approval of the Ministry of Education Malaysia.
He said the strong collaboration reflects a shared commitment to strengthening STEM education, driving innovation and nurturing competitive future talent for Sarawak and the nation.
“BIRT is not merely a robotics competition, but a strategic platform to develop young talent in programming, engineering and design, in line with Sarawak’s aspirations under the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030,” he said when speaking at the launch of BIRT 2026 here today.
He said the tournament has shown encouraging growth since its introduction in 2019, beginning with the participation of 46 teams from four countries in a single Robot Football category.
“By 2024, BIRT expanded to 148 teams from five countries with four competition categories, in addition to educational tourism activities showcasing Sarawak’s heritage and culture,” he added.
Sagah explained that BIRT 2025 recorded the participation of 167 teams from five countries, involving 555 contestants, including representatives from 10 states competing in five categories.
He said the achievements of Sarawak students in BIRT 2025 were highly commendable, as they not only competed but excelled by dominating several key categories, including Robomission Battle and Robosport Double Tennis.
“This success proves the capability of Sarawak students in coding, engineering and design, in line with MEITD’s policy pillars encompassing education for innovation, talent development and the cultivation of a global mindset,” he said.
Sagah also expressed appreciation to SMK Chung Hua (CF) Miri, which has represented Malaysia at the World Robot Olympiad for nine consecutive years since 2016, reflecting the strength of Sarawak’s school-based innovation ecosystem.
For the 2026 edition, he said BIRT will feature six competition categories, including two new events – Robosumo (SPIKE Prime) and League of Mecha Clash (LOM) Matrix – to provide broader exposure to emerging technologies and higher-level STEM skills.
He added that BIRT 2026 has attracted participation interest from nine countries and regions, including South Korea, Singapore and Myanmar, further strengthening Sarawak’s reputation as an international learning and innovation destination.
“BIRT aligns with the PCDS 2030 target of achieving 60 per cent STEM enrolment and building a science-literate society. Through this platform, students gain not only technical skills but also confidence, teamwork and global awareness,” he said.
He also recorded his appreciation to the organising committee, teachers, mentors, parents and strategic partners for their continued support in ensuring the success of the tournament.
