The Industry, Community and Alumni Networking Unit of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering (ICAN FKE) Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) has organized a community program and academic mission in conjunction with the reopening of school sessions throughout Malaysia after recovery MCO. Concerned about the reaction of students who are worried about returning to school in the atmosphere of the new norm, especially female students who wear hijab, FKE, UiTM has utilized the expertise and facilities of existing 3D printers by producing "Ear loop extender" for face mask.
It makes it easier for female students to wear face masks and at the same time comply with the guidelines set by the Ministry of Education Malaysia.
All the "ear loop extender" was handed over by ICAN FKE Deputy Dean, Associate Prof Ir. Ts. Dr. Ahmad Sabirin Zoolfakar to Tuan Haji Kamali bin Murid, Principal of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seksyen 18 Shah Alam for the use of students before school hours begin.
Program led by the Community Coordinator, Ir. Ts. Dr. Maizatul Zolkapli in collaboration with FKE lecturer Ts. Dr. Noorfadzli Abdul Razak, technical staff and administrative staff have successfully produced 560 units of ‘ear loop extender’ in 6 days using 3D printers. Since the beginning of MCO, printing work in the laboratory was actively carried out to meet the demand of frontliners. Among other hardware produced by Ts. Dr. Noorfadzli and his team using 3D printers are face shield brackets and aerochamber for children.
The visit to this school also aims to provide exposure to school students about the programs offered by FKE in particular and UiTM in general after they finish high school. The school welcomes this effort and was interested in collaborating for other programs such as STEM in the future.