UTAR trio sweeps top prizes at Innozilla 2024

From left: Ooi and Tan receiving their prizes

A trio of talented students from UTAR Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES), Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, brought immense pride to their university and sponsor, MDT Innovation Sdn Bhd, by sweeping three grand prizes at USM “Innozilla 2024” competition. Held on 6 and 7 November 2024 at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang, the event showcased the innovative prowess of young minds.

The three students, Bong Qin Zhe, Ooi Jin Wei and Tan Yan Zhen, were supervised by LKC FES Centre for Railway Infrastructure and Engineering Chairperson Assoc Prof Ir Dr Chua Kein Huat. Their groundbreaking project earned them the Gold medal, the Best TrailBlazer Invention Award, and the Special Award in Eco Carbon.

Titled Earn Carbon Credit by Charging EV, their innovative project addressed a critical issue in the EV industry by developing a system to accurately track and quantify the carbon footprint of electric vehicles. This triumph not only highlights the exceptional abilities of these students but also underscores the importance of industry-academia collaborations in driving innovation and technological advancements.

From left: Tan, Bong and Ooi

Centred around the theme Bridging Innovation Between Academia, Young Innovators, Government, Industry, and Community for Sustainable Development, the two-day event united participants in two categories, namely Vanguard, designed for experienced inventors, and Trailblazer, aimed at emerging innovators.

USM INNOZILLA 2024, co-organised with the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) and in collaboration with Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd, TusStar, JCI, and the Centre for Global Sustainability Studies (CGSS), showcased 188 inventions, with 143 displayed physically and 45 presented virtually. Participants included schools, colleges, universities, and startups from Penang, Perak, Kedah, Kelantan and Pahang, along with international contributors from Indonesia and Singapore.

MDT Innovation Sdn Bhd

MDT Innovation Sdn Bhd has been a steadfast supporter of these young innovators, providing both financial and moral support. Their commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing young talent has undoubtedly played a significant role in this remarkable achievement.

The winning prizes

From left: Dr Chang Yoong Choon, Mr Liew Choon Lian, Ooi Jin Wei, Lau Kok Fui and Dr Chua Kein Huat