Religious education and digital technology came together as 20 tahfiz students from Maahad Tahfiz Al Qadi Iyad, Kulim, gained hands-on experience in the Internet of Things (IoT) and data analytics through a specialised technical training programme at Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Spanish Institute (UniKL MSI).
The five-day TVET Tahfiz – Internet of Things (IoT) and Data Analytics programme, held in October 2026, introduced students to emerging digital technologies while complementing their traditional religious education with practical Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills.
Organised under the Program Pembelajaran Sepanjang Hayat (PSH) TVET Tahfiz by the Centre for Advancement and Continuing Education (ACE UniKL), with support from Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), the initiative aimed to broaden educational opportunities for tahfiz students through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
The programme reflects a growing emphasis on integrating digital literacy and technical competencies into diverse educational pathways, enabling students from religious education backgrounds to explore opportunities in technology-driven industries.
Throughout the five-day training, participants were introduced to the fundamentals of IoT, microcontrollers, sensors and data analytics through interactive learning sessions and laboratory activities.
At UniKL MSI’s Microcontroller Lab, students conducted practical sensor-based exercises, gaining an understanding of how connected devices collect and process data for real-world applications.
The hands-on sessions allowed participants to move beyond classroom theory, developing technical familiarity with digital tools while enhancing their analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities and teamwork.
Students also collaborated on group projects and presented their findings to lecturers and peers, demonstrating their understanding of IoT and data analytics concepts while building confidence in communication and technical presentations.
Beyond technical knowledge, the programme incorporated values-based learning rooted in the Islamic principle of Ihsan, which emphasises excellence, precision, accuracy and continuous self-improvement.
The programme also received a visit from UniKL Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise), Prof. Ir. Dr. Azmi Hassan, reflecting the university’s commitment to inclusive technical education, lifelong learning and community engagement.
Through the collaboration between ACE UniKL, UniKL MSI, MARA and Maahad Tahfiz Al Qadi Iyad, the initiative provided an alternative avenue for tahfiz students to explore STEM education and develop foundational digital competencies.
The programme aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, by expanding access to inclusive technical education, lifelong learning and practical digital skills development.
It also supports SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, through early exposure to industry-relevant technological competencies, and SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, by introducing students to IoT and data analytics technologies associated with digital innovation.
Additionally, the initiative contributes to SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, by widening access to technical learning opportunities for students from different educational backgrounds, while collaboration among educational institutions and MARA reflects SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
