Kuala Lumpur, 18 November 2024 – The Sime Darby Young Innovators Challenge (SDYIC) concluded its 9th edition at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) last week, with three teams clinching the top spots for transforming local challenges into scalable solutions with potential for national impact.

Team XVJ Dev from SMK Pekan Kuala Penyu, Sabah, developed a gamified math learning application to make mathematics accessible and enjoyable for students struggling with the subject. Team Epic Production from SMJK Yok Bin, Melaka, introduced an automatic fire alarm system that directly alerts fire departments, enhancing and speeding up emergency responses. Team Innoventures from the Royal Military College (RMC), engineered a water surge warning system using buoy technology to predict and detect upstream water surges, providing early alerts to individuals, emergency responders, and local residents at risk along the riverbanks.

These teams were awarded innovation grants worth RM30,000 to further develop and deploy their projects, directly addressing critical community needs. Beyond enhancing community safety and educational improvements, the grants allow these young innovators to contribute as caring, active members of society.

A portion of these grants also goes towards bolstering ongoing STEM education initiatives, empowering teachers and schools to activate and expand the STEM movement. This includes engaging neighbouring schools and developing a pipeline of STEM talent from the grassroots. Through this holistic approach, the grants help cultivate a community-oriented mindset among students while simultaneously strengthening the educational network that supports their development.

Additional accolades included the Best Presenter Awards (Group), given to Team PlantBot from Chung Ling Private High School, Penang, Best Presenter Award (Individual) presented to Al-Luqman bin Razif from Team Innoventures of the RMC, and the Favourite Innovation Award won by Team Illuminovators from SMJK Chung Hwa Tenom, Sabah.

Puan Sri Normah Hashim, Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) Governing Council Member, remarked, “This year’s SDYIC spotlights young STEM talents once again, while strengthening YSD’s partnership with the Ministry of Education (MOE) through the Rakan DELIMa initiative. It expands the reach of SDYIC content, making valuable educational resources, including digital textbooks and learning applications, accessible to all students in Malaysia.”

Co-organised by YSD and Chumbaka, in collaboration with MOE, state education departments, and partnering universities, the SDYIC brought together academic institutions, community members, and industry leaders to nurture innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills among Malaysian youth aged 13 to 17. This year’s competition drew 3,102 secondary students from 398 schools, reflecting a commitment to gender and geographic diversity, with half of the participants being young women and 23% from rural areas.

Since its inception, SDYIC has grown to involve 20,067 students from 2,297 schools, supported by a network of educators and mentors who are committed to nurturing the nation’s future leaders. This year’s challenge began with Train the Trainer (TTT) workshops that prepared 197 educators and 138 undergraduate mentors with leadership modules, further enabling them to promote a culture of innovation in both rural and urban schools.

The SDYIC 2024 grand finale marks another successful year of YSD nurturing compassionate innovators of the future alongside Chumbaka. As SDYIC progresses, the impact of these young innovators continues to expand, promising to bring about lasting benefits not just for their local communities but for Malaysia as a whole.