Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Politeknik Negeri Medan (Polmed) and Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) are working together on a cross-border community service project at SD Muhammadiyah 18 Medan Perjuangan. UiTM, Polmed and UMSU have taken various initiatives to contribute to science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) primary education and to stimulate and encourage students’ interest in STEM.

Associate Professor Ir Ts Dr Shahril Irwan Sulaiman and Associate Professor Ir Ts Dr Syed Abdul Mutalib Al Junid from College of Engineering UiTM and Ir. H. Abdul Azis H. MM from UMSU were invited to deliver an online virtual lecture on basic solar systems and electrical systems to the students. This cross-border service was held on Saturday, 10 July 2023 at SD Muhammadiyah 18, Medan Perjuangan leading by Mr Cholish ST.MT, Electrical Engineering Programme Coordinator at Polmed.

During the opening, he emphasised the importance of technology-based primary education in today’s modern era with the aim of improving the competitiveness of technology-based education in primary schools, especially in the city of Medan and Indonesia as a whole towards STEM. In addition, Mr Ramadhan Damanik, S.Ag, the headmaster of SD Muhammadiyah 18, Medan Perjuangan, expressed the hope that their school could become a role model for others by promoting the improvement of students’ skills in solar panel technology and electrical circuits.

This cross-border service activity was attended by 25 teachers and students from SD Muhammadiyah 18. Ultimately, this service activity will serve as a catalyst to increase knowledge of the latest technologies and encourage students to pursue STEM education.