UTAR team wins silver at MTE 2024 for innovative sustainability efforts

A team of dedicated researchers from UTAR Faculty of Creative Industries (FCI) made a mark on the international stage by securing the Silver Award at the Malaysia Technology Expo: Sustainable Development Goals International Innovation Awards and Expo (MTE: SDG IIAE 2024). The competition, held virtually from 16 to 18 October 2024, celebrated ground-breaking innovations that contributed to global sustainability.

The team, comprising Ts Dr Cheng Kin Meng, Ts Ng Perng Jeu, Ts Mohd Fairuz bin Ali, Ts Chong Hwei Teeng and Mr Muhamad Albarr bin Che Omar, was honoured for their innovative research aimed at preserving endangered cave environments through the creative application of arts and technology. Their project demonstrated exceptional ingenuity, sustainability impact, and commitment to environmental conservation.

Reflecting on this achievement, Ts Ng shared, “We take immense pride and gratitude for winning the Silver Award at MTE – an international competition for innovations of great prestige. This award distinctly represents our imagination, dedication, and pursuit of excellence as we aim for higher summits. We sincerely thank the organisers, judges, and all supporting parties—especially UTAR’s FCI, the Centre for Immersive Technology and Creativity (CITC), and the Institute of Postgraduate Studies and Research (IPSR). The opportunities provided by UTAR allow us to expand our goals and expectations for innovation, for which we are truly grateful. Thank you!”

Echoing this sentiment, Dr Cheng emphasised the importance of their conservation-driven research. “This is a great recognition of our efforts in preserving the cave, which was at risk of extinction. We are grateful that UTAR supports us in this journey and has walked with us by sponsoring our competition costs. We hope this award will further highlight the Faculty of Creative Industries in every aspect using creative arts and technology because we believe that creativity can ignite the flame of sustainability impact,” said Dr Cheng.