Kuala Lumpur, 22 April 2026 – Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD), the philanthropic arm of Sime Darby Berhad, SD Guthrie Berhad and Sime Darby Property Berhad, is inviting secondary schools across Malaysia to register for the Sime Darby Young Innovators Challenge (SDYIC) 2026, as the programme introduces a new format centred on artificial intelligence (AI) and community problem-solving. 

Under this year’s theme, “Help a Cause, Change the World: Using AI for Social Good”, SDYIC 2026 marks a strategic shift that will culminate in a hackathon-driven National Innovation Summit from 24 to 28 September 2026.

Since 2016, SDYIC has grown into YSD’s flagship national STEM programme, reaching more than 29,000 students, teachers and community beneficiaries nationwide through innovation challenges and mentor training, as well as wider access to STEM learning.

For 2026, the programme is targeting 3,000 students from 400 schools, including at least 100 rural schools, while aiming for a minimum of 50% female participation. The programme will also train 600 teachers and undergraduate students to strengthen support for participating teams nationwide.

Chief Executive Officer of YSD, Dr Hjh Yatela Zainal Abidin said “At its core, SDYIC has always been about giving young Malaysians the space and confidence to think beyond the classroom, while equipping them with the skills to navigate an increasingly complex technological world and address challenges within their own communities.

“This year’s focus on AI for social good is not only about equipping students with future‑ready skills, but also about ensuring that innovation remains firmly rooted in people and purpose. We want students and teachers to see innovation not merely as a technical pursuit, but as a meaningful way to improve everyday lives. We hope more schools, especially those in rural areas, will come forward and join us on thisjourney so that every young person, regardless of background or location, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and create positive change,” she added.

Unlike previous editions, SDYIC 2026 introduces a redesigned format that integrates AI into the student and teacher learning journey. The programme is delivered in collaboration with Chumbaka, YSD’s project partner, leveraging its expertise in STEM 

education to strengthen the programme’s learning design and delivery. The former Train-the-Trainers model has now evolved into a Mentor Development Programme, which includes online orientation, a one-day start-up workshop, and refresher sessions for ongoing support. Participating schools will also be equipped with Edge Computing Kits, enabling students, teachers, and mentors to explore more advanced AI and data-driven projects.

The programme will culminate in a five-day National Innovation Summit, where top teams will work on real-world challenge statements contributed by selected YSD beneficiaries and partners. Separate judging tracks for students and teachers will also be introduced, alongside YSD Innovation Grants for impactful community solutions and STEM Aspiration Grants to help teachers expand STEM activities in their schools and surrounding communities.

The 2026 cycle continues a decade-long journey of helping students develop ideas that respond to community needs, including Robin Food, which helped catalyse the redistribution of more than 218,000 kg of food surplus, and Mykroscope, Malaysia’s first registered open-source hardware, with over 2,000 units produced and distributed to 200 schools nationwide. In 2025, SDYIC further expanded its nationwide reach through four Innovation Hubs in Terengganu, Melaka, Sabah and Sarawak, which engaged 3,772 students, teachers, alumni and guests.Registration for SDYIC 2026 is now open. Secondary schools interested in joining can learn more and register at younginnovators.my.