It was a big win for UTAR Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT) at the Innovation and Invention Competition through Exhibition 2022 (iCompEx’22). A total of seven teams from FEGT won two gold, four silver and one bronze medals at the national level competition, organised by Politeknik Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah. The opening and closing ceremonies of iCompEx’22 were live-streamed on 23 August 2022 via Facebook.

This is the seventh participation of the FEGT students and academics. The competition aimed to serve as a platform for participants to share their research findings to the public.

The winning teams were comprised of Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Environmental Engineering students Loo Yi Xin and Ong Zhe Yang in a team; Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Industrial Engineering student Khor Xi Bo and Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Electronic Engineering student Ong Chin Jin in a team; Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Industrial Engineering student Heng Zi He and Master of Engineering Science student Teoh Sheng Keat in a team; Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Petrochemical Engineering student Chan Wei Jie and Master of Engineering Science student Tan Yee Win in a team; Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Petrochemical Engineering student Goy Chien Kai and Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) student Chong Wei Tze in a team; Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Petrochemical Engineering students Yong Kai-Jun and Tan Yee Ling in a team; and Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Petrochemical Engineering students Thong Hui Shan and Goy in a team.

Loo and Zhe Yang were supervised by FEGT Deputy Dean Assoc Prof Ir Ts Dr Leong Kah Hon and FEGT academic Dr Sim Lan Ching. They participated in Category B: Construction & Material and won a gold medal as well as the title “Juara Inovasi” in the competition. The team also walked away with a cash prize worth RM500 and certificates.

This was followed by another gold medal won by Khor and Chin Jin. They participated in Category G: Agriculture, Environment & Renewable Energy and were supervised by FEGT academics Dr Lim Chong Hooi and Ts Tan Yee Chyan.

Under the supervision of UTAR academics Dr Lim, Dr Khoo Sze Wei and Dr Leong Sim Siong, Heng and Teoh garnered a silver medal for the University. Another team members Chan and Tan, who were supervised by FEGT academics Dr Leong Sim Siong, Dr Yeoh Wei Ming, Ir Ts Dr Toh Pey Yi, Dr Lim and Ts Dr Teoh Yi Peng @ Teng Yi Peng also won a silver medal. These two teams participated in Category G: Agriculture, Environment & Renewable Energy.

Additionally, two teams which were comprised of Goy and Chong, and Yong and Tan Yee Ling bagged silver medals and certificates respectively. The teams were supervised by UTAR academics Dr Ong Yit Thai, Dr Teoh, Dr Leong Sim Siong, Dr Tan Kok Tat, Dr M. Mathialagan and Dr Ooi Zhong Xian.

Last but not least, Thong and Goy won the bronze medal and certificates. The team was supervised by UTAR academics Dr Toh and Dr Leong Sim Siong.  

When asked about what inspired FEGT to be continuously involved in the competition, FEGT Deputy Dean Dr Leong Kah Hon commented on behalf of all the participating teams, “The main objective of participating in this competition is to encourage students to take part in research and innovation. The students can apply their science knowledge and skills during the project presentation to give an amazing presentation to the judges. In addition, students have the opportunity to learn to work as a team, enhancing their skills in troubleshooting to solve engineering and technical problems as well as improving their interpersonal skills. This competition also supported the nation’s advancement through research and development activities in science and technology.” He also added, “The iCompEx 2022 was a good platform for young researchers, scientists and inventors to exhibit and present their innovative idea in research. Moreover, this competition encouraged students to take part in the R&D field and promote their innovation and creativity in the research project.”

iCompEx is a competition and exhibition of innovation or new discovery projects. This competition is a platform for young researchers, scientists and inventors to present their ideas and inventions that are beneficial for all in order to promote the country as a regional innovation hub.

iCompEx 2022 has attracted a total of 280 innovative projects from universities, colleges, polytechnic, community colleges, industrial training institutes, national youth vocational institutes, government agencies, secondary schools, etc. It is an annual event hosted by Politeknik Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah (POLIMAS) since 2013.