STUDENTS CAN EXCEL INTERNATIONALLY, SAYS MINISTER

SEPANG, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Malaysian students can make a name for
themselves globally if they are exposed to more international programmes, said
Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.

"Such success is a bench mark of our students' capability internationally
and this should be shared by all. The concept of esprit de corps will bring
sweet returns," he told reporters here Monday.

He was asked to comment on the success of Malaysian participants who won
six main prizes at the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) 2008 in Yokohama, Japan that
took place from Oct 31 till Monday.

He said the committment of all quarters, including teachers who provided
guidance, in the success should appreciated.

Meanwhile, the national contingent's chief, Hassan Mohamed, said the
national contingent of six teams that participated in four categories took six
of 18 medals at stake. They were one gold, two silvers and two bronzes.

The Robotuner group from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Sultanah Hajah
Kalsom, Kuantan, in Malaysia's east coast state of Pahang took the gold in the
upper secondary open category through their creation named Skav-lised which had
the theme 'Save The Environment'.

Met at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Monday after arriving from
Japan, Robotuner team leader, Abdul Hakim Azir, said their robot cost RM20,000
and had five functions including clearing air pollution, collecting garbage and
taking water samples for analysis.

In the lower secondary open category, SMK Methodist Tanjung Malim, in
northern state of Perak took silver while the second silver went to Sekolah
Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Sebiew from Bintulu in East Malaysia state of
Sarawak.

The bronzes went to SMK Bintulu in the Recycle Keeper event for upper
secondary and SJKC Seng Keow, Seberang Perai Tengah in northern state of Penang
for lower secondary.

SJKC Seng Keow was picked as the Most Popular Team.
--BERNAMA