UTAR alumna clinches special prize at national engineering competition

Demonstrating innovation and technical excellence, UTAR alumna Tey Shu Qi emerged as the Special Prize Winner in the prestigious 8th Tan Sri Ir. Hj Yusoff Ibrahim Best Final Year Project Competition 2024. Organised by The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) and The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), the competition was held via Zoom on 12 November 2024, with winners announced on the same day. The formal award ceremony followed on 19 April 2025 at Wisma IEM, Petaling Jaya.

Tey, who graduated with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES), presented her final year project titled Direct Ink Writing of Alumina Structure at the competition. The research explored the fabrication of alumina-based ceramics using the Direct Ink Writing (DIW) technique, with the aim of achieving high-density outputs while lowering processing temperatures and improving overall production efficiency. Her innovative work resonated strongly with the competition’s objective, which is to inspire excellence in undergraduate engineering projects.

The recognition came with a certificate and a cash prize of RM300, marking a significant milestone in Tey’s academic journey. Now enrolled in the Master of Engineering Science programme, Tey reflected on the encouragement she had received from her mentors, Ir Dr Ting Chen Hunt, Ts Dr Khaw Chwin Chieh, and Assoc Prof Ts Dr Yeo Wei Hong, which had motivated her to participate in the competition.

“It was actually beyond my expectations,” she shared. “I am very honoured to represent UTAR in this competition and to win. I am sincerely grateful to everyone who guided and supported me throughout this journey.”
She also noted the broader impact of this achievement, stating, “This recognition highlights the innovative approach I took in utilising Direct Ink Writing (DIW) to enhance the properties of alumina ceramics. It validates the relevance and potential impact of my work in both academic and practical applications, especially in the biomedical field.”

The competition, open exclusively to the best final year project nominations from accredited engineering programmes nationwide, continues to foster a culture of innovation and excellence. Tey’s achievement not only showcases the high calibre of research fostered at UTAR but also affirms the University’s commitment to nurturing talents who contribute meaningfully to technological advancement.