Robotics and coding conquest 2026 (RCC2026)- Radio Televisyen  Brunei (RTB) Psychoboard (invented by Ts Ir Dr Ahmad Azlan Bin Ab Aziz)

Psychoboard STEM & AIoT Teacher Capacity Building Programme for Brunei Schools

Date: 11/6/2026

Participants: 500+ teachers across Brunei

Universiti Teknologi Brunei — As the inventor of Psychoboard, I have been actively leading teacher capacity-building initiatives to strengthen education in programming, electronics, artificial intelligence (AI), embedded systems, and the Internet of Things (IoT) in Brunei Darussalam.

The programme was designed to support the implementation of the Business, Art and Technology (BAT) subject by providing teachers with practical skills in programming, electronics, AI-assisted coding, and project-based STEM learning using the locally developed Psychoboard platform. The training combines ESP32 programming, embedded systems, IoT applications, ChatGPT-assisted coding, and a dedicated custom GPT learning assistant, enabling teachers to confidently deliver modern technology education in the classroom.

Since its introduction, the Psychoboard initiative has expanded beyond individual workshops and has supported more than 500 teachers across Brunei Darussalam through direct training, curriculum development activities, demonstrations, exhibitions, and STEM outreach programmes. The long-term objective is to establish a sustainable ecosystem that empowers teachers to nurture future generations with practical digital, engineering, and AI competencies.

The programme has demonstrated excellent effectiveness. Evaluation of one of the national teacher training workshops showed:

• 100% of participants rated the training positively (Excellent or Good).
• 100% agreed that the training content was relevant to their teaching needs.
• 100% agreed that hands-on activities significantly enhanced their understanding.
• 81.8% found the Psychoboard platform easy to understand after the training.
• Participants highly appreciated the integration of AI-assisted coding using ChatGPT and the Custom GPT Assistant, which reduced programming barriers and improved confidence in lesson preparation.

Feedback from teachers consistently highlighted the value of practical hands-on learning, ESP32 programming, IoT applications, AI-assisted coding, and continuous facilitator support throughout the workshop. Participants also recommended expanding the programme through Train-the-Trainer (ToT) initiatives, advanced modules, and wider deployment across schools, demonstrating strong demand for continued professional development.

Psychoboard represents more than a teaching board. It is a locally developed educational technology ecosystem that integrates hardware, software, AI-assisted learning, and teacher professional development to support Brunei's digital education transformation. By equipping educators with industry-relevant skills, the initiative contributes to strengthening STEM education while supporting the national aspiration to develop future-ready graduates with competencies in programming, embedded systems, IoT, and artificial intelligence.

Key Areas of Training

• Programming using ESP32 and Embedded Systems

• Electronics and Sensor Integration

• Internet of Things (IoT)

• Artificial Intelligence Assisted Programming using ChatGPT

• Prompt Engineering for Education

• Project-Based STEM Learning

• Business, Art and Technology (BAT) Curriculum Support

• Train-the-Trainer (ToT) Programme Development

• Teacher Professional Development

• Educational Technology Innovation using Psychoboard

UTB Living Lab Definition 

The UTB STEAM Innovation Living Lab is a collaborative research and innovation ecosystem that transforms ideas into real-world solutions through interdisciplinary research, rapid prototyping, user validation, and technology commercialisation. By bringing together students, researchers, industry partners, schools, government agencies, and communities, the Living Lab bridges the gap between academic research and societal impact while nurturing future innovators and entrepreneurs.

Key Characteristics

• User-centred innovation
• Real-world testing and validation
• Co-creation with stakeholders
• Rapid prototyping and iterative improvement
• Research translation into practical applications
• Technology transfer and commercialisation
• Entrepreneurship and startup development
• Continuous feedback and measurable impact

From Makers Lab to Living Lab: Translating Research into Innovation and Entrepreneurship

In 2023, we embarked on an ambitious journey to transform the UTB Makers Lab into more than just a fabrication space. Supported by the UTB Special Research Grant Initiative, our vision was to establish a research-driven ecosystem where ideas could evolve from laboratory experiments into technologies with real-world impact.

Our initial research focused on two strategic areas: advanced 3D printing technologies and antenna engineering. These areas were selected not only because of their strong research potential but also because they could serve as enabling technologies across multiple disciplines, including Internet of Things (IoT), embedded systems, healthcare, robotics, wireless communications, and smart manufacturing.

Over the past few years, the Makers Lab has evolved into a multidisciplinary platform supporting researchers, students, and industry collaborators. The laboratory is equipped with advanced 3D printing facilities, electronics prototyping equipment, PCB fabrication tools, antenna measurement capabilities, embedded system development platforms, and rapid prototyping resources. This infrastructure has enabled students and researchers to rapidly transform concepts into functional prototypes while shortening the journey from research to innovation.

Today, our aspiration extends beyond being a Makers Lab. We are building a Living Lab, where research is continuously validated in real-world environments through collaboration with schools, industry, government agencies, and the wider community. Rather than developing technology solely for academic publication, the Living Lab approach encourages co-creation, iterative testing, user feedback, and continuous improvement to ensure innovations address genuine societal and industrial needs.

One of the most significant outcomes of this initiative has been the establishment of Simpang Tujuh (Seven), a student-led startup company that originated directly from research activities conducted within the laboratory. The company provides advanced 3D printing, rapid prototyping, and engineering fabrication services while offering students valuable entrepreneurial experience alongside their academic journey.

The creation of Simpang Tujuh demonstrates an important philosophy that guides our work: research should not stop at theory. Scientific publications and technical knowledge remain fundamental, but their true value is realised only when translated into practical solutions that benefit society, create economic opportunities, and develop future innovators. By encouraging students to commercialise their Final Year Projects (FYP), Group Design Projects (GDP), and research outputs, we bridge the gap between academia and industry while nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset.

The Living Lab has also become the foundation for several innovation initiatives, including the development of Psychoboard, an embedded systems and AIoT educational platform now used for teacher capacity building and STEM education in Brunei Darussalam. These achievements demonstrate how research, education, innovation, and entrepreneurship can reinforce one another within a single ecosystem.

Looking ahead, our vision is to establish the UTB Living Lab as a regional centre of excellence for digital fabrication, intelligent embedded systems, wireless communications, AIoT, and technology commercialisation. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and industry partnerships, we aim to cultivate a new generation of engineers and innovators who are not only capable of conducting high-quality research but are also equipped to transform their ideas into impactful technologies, successful startups, and sustainable businesses.

Our guiding principle remains simple yet powerful:

Research creates knowledge. Innovation creates solutions. Entrepreneurship creates impact. Together, these three elements form the foundation of a sustainable innovation ecosystem capable of contributing to Brunei Darussalam's knowledge-based economy and future technological advancement.

Empowering Future Engineers Through Digital Engineering and Innovation

It was a privilege to contribute to the EDGE Engineering Design Programme, involving 81 students from Brunei, where I had the opportunity to support both the technical and innovation components of the programme.

On Day 1, I facilitated the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) sessions using Autodesk Fusion Simulation, introducing students to simulation-driven engineering design. Participants explored how CFD can be used to analyse airflow, reduce drag, optimise performance, and validate engineering concepts before physical prototyping.

On Day 2, I led a hands-on workshop on leveraging generative AI to accelerate the engineering design process. Students learned how to transform ideas into well-structured engineering concepts using an integrated workflow with Google Gemini, NotebookLM, and Canva.

The session focused on problem identification, idea generation, technical research, concept refinement, and professional presentation development.

Working in multidisciplinary teams, participants addressed eight sustainability-focused engineering challenges, including:

1) Sustainable low-drag transportation

2) Smart agriculture drones

3) Aerodynamic food delivery systems

4) Flood-resilient emergency shelters

5) High-efficiency wind turbines

6) Smart greenhouse technologies

7) River and coastal waste collection systems

8) Sustainable urban mobility

It was inspiring to witness the creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking demonstrated by all 81 participants. By combining engineering simulation with modern digital tools, the programme provided students with practical experience in solving real-world engineering challenges while promoting sustainable innovation.

My sincere appreciation goes to the organisers, facilitators, and everyone involved in making the programme a success. It is always rewarding to contribute towards developing the next generation of engineers who are equipped with both strong technical foundations and modern digital competencies.