Opening ceremony of KLESF: The Fair 2025
From left: Dr Pua, Ir Amir Hussein, Academician Tan Sri Emeritus Augustine Ong, Dr Liu, Mr Robert Tai, Datuk Seri Hj Hasnol Zam Zam, Prof Dato’ Ewe, Lt Kol Bersekutu (PA) Mohd Najib, YB Puan Wong, Prof Dato’ Indera Lee and Datuk Lee
The Kuala Lumpur Engineering Science Fair (KLESF): The Fair 2025 took place at the Mines International Exhibition and Convention Centre (MIECC) from 14 to 16 November 2025, drawing thousands of visitors and reaffirming its status as one of the region’s leading science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) outreach platforms. With the theme Quantum Future: The Infinite Possibility, this year’s fair continued its mission to champion accessible and engaging STEM education for all, from pre-school learners to university students and the general public.
Datuk Seri Hj Hasnol Zam Zam
The opening ceremony, held on 15 November 2025, was officiated by Yang Berbahagia Datuk Seri Hj. Hasnol Zam Zam bin Hj. Ahmad, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), who represented the Minister. In his keynote address, he emphasised the Ministry’s continued support for STEM promotion and national innovation. “Through KLESF, students not only learn about science but also experience the excitement of exploration and the joy of invention,” he said and added, “You are the generation that will carry Malaysia forward as a nation of innovation, sustainability, and knowledge.”
Prof Dato’ Ewe
UTAR President, Co-Chairman of the KLESF Steering Committee, and ASEAN Academy of Engineering and Technology (AAET) President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat highlighted the collaborative ethos and internationalisation of this year’s fair. “Each year, KLESF evolves with new dimensions to promote innovation and knowledge-sharing. “Through initiatives like KLESF, we aim to inspire future innovators and problem-solvers who can contribute meaningfully to national and global progress,” he remarked.
Mr Robert Tai
Representing the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) and the KLESF Steering Committee, Mr Robert Tai Chiang Vun underscored the fair’s significance in preparing youth for a digital future. “Through KLESF, we are not just promoting STEM education; we are shaping the mindset of our young generation to value curiosity, collaboration, and continuous learning,” he shared.
Prof Liu
International perspectives were brought by Prof Dr Liu Zhenying, Chairman of the China Chapter of the BRICS Business Council Skills Development Working Group and President of International Alliance of Skills Development and Technology Innovation for Belt & Road and BRICS. In his speech, he celebrated the hosting of the inaugural BRICS–ASEAN International Competition in Malaysia, noting, “Hosting this BRICS ASEAN International Competition in Malaysia, a country known for its openness and innovation, symbolises the deep integration between BRICS and ASEAN. It provides a shared platform for young people to learn, exchange, and grow together.”
Ltn Kol Mohd Najib
Lieutenant Colonel Bersekutu Pertahanan Awam Mohd Najib bin Haji Mohd Noor, Chairman of the Malaysia Education Foundation (YPM), addressed participants of the CIPTRIX 2025 competition with an inspiring call to embrace STEM as a lifelong journey. “This is the innovation ecosystem we dreamed of—an ecosystem for all ages, from pre-schoolers to adults, proving that STEM is a lifelong journey,” he said.
Also present at the opening were YB Puan Wong Siew Ki, State Assemblyman for Seri Kembangan; Academician Tan Sri Emeritus Prof Datuk Dr Augustine S H Ong, President of the Malaysian Invention and Design Society (MINDS); Prof Dato’ Indera Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, President of Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT); Ir Amir Hussein bin Jaafar, representing the President of The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM); Datuk Lee Leck Cheng, a member of the UTAR Education Foundation Board of Trustees and UTAR Council; and Assoc Prof Ts Dr Pua Chang Hong, General Chair of the KLESF Organising Committee.
Jointly organised by MINDS, AAET, UTAR, MIGHT, IEM and TAR UMT, KLESF: The Fair 2025 once again served as a vital platform for industry-academia engagement, innovation showcases, and youth development. This year’s edition was proudly recognised under the UNESCO Intergovernmental Programme for the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD), underscoring its global relevance in promoting inclusive and sustainable science education.
Among the many highlights were the BRICS–ASEAN International Competition featuring teams from seven economies. Local and international schoolchildren, university students, educators, and industry professionals took part in exhibitions, workshops, live demonstrations, competitions, and creative performances. Featured activities included robotics and drone technology, green engineering, coding, artificial intelligence, and even science-themed drama and storytelling.
The Smart City Mini Project Challenge was also one of the featured activities supported under the UTAR–AMD CSR STEM Education Grant. During the showcase, students presented IoT-based smart solutions aimed at addressing practical urban issues such as energy consumption, waste management, mobility, and environmental sustainability. The session included hands-on demonstrations, interactive displays, and evaluation sessions conducted by AMD representatives.
With free public admission, the fair remained dedicated to inspiring participation from all segments of society, particularly young learners. Through its multidimensional format, KLESF cultivates curiosity, critical thinking, and collaboration—skills essential to the future economy and national resilience.
Support from Industry Innovators:
“Our aim is to provide convenient, real-life applications of drone technology that can support various sectors. In many ways, our drones function like intelligent agents that assist humans by enhancing efficiency and decision-making,” said Ts Arvindcran Asokumar, Managing Director from Malaysia Drone Chamber.
“MTCC works to promote sustainable forest management and raise public awareness about responsible forest use. Through our exhibits, we highlight the science behind forest conservation, biodiversity protection, and the importance of sustainable wood-based products,” said Hasif Azizan, Director of Communication and Marketing from Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC).
“DebugLab focuses on developing essential soft skills that learners can acquire within a short period. By integrating STEM education, we aim to help students advance their capabilities and stay competitive. Today, even young children can begin learning concepts like machine learning, which prepares them for the future.” Kiefer, Manager from Debuglab.
Mr Imade making balloons for participants
“Coming all the way from Japan to participate in KLESF for the first time has been a truly meaningful experience. As a teacher, I believe STEM education is vital because it equips students with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. STEM fosters critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving—abilities that extend far beyond the classroom,” said Kazufumi Imade, a teacher from the Changemaker Association.
“Having participated in KLESF for several years, we strongly encourage companies and organisations to get involved, as the experience is both impactful and rewarding. KLESF provides a valuable platform for organisations to engage with students, educators, and the community in promoting STEM awareness. It is an excellent opportunity to showcase innovations, inspire young minds, and build meaningful collaborations,” said Mr Louis from Malayan Flour Mills Berhad.
“This is our first time participating in KLESF. Together with the Centre for Foundation Studies, AMD organised workshops and the Smart City Mini Project competition, for which we sponsored the prizes and the competition model. With our large engineering lab established in Penang, we see KLESF as an important platform to promote STEM education and encourage young talents to explore the possibilities of technology and innovation,” said Mr Ryan Han, senior manager from AMD.
Families, learners and educators exploring STEM together:
Ms Kirubasini Arumugam praising the event for sparking creativity and widening students’ perspectives
Ms Kirubasini Arumugam from UCSI International School Subang Jaya praised the event for encouraging students to think creatively through hands-on experiments and innovative exhibitions. She especially appreciated the interactive games and rewards, which made learning fun. She noted that even young students showcased impressive innovations, inspiring her secondary school students. Believing STEM is vital for educational development, she said she would definitely bring her students to join this event again next year.
Ms Ng brings her children to explore science beyond the classroom
Ms Ng, a mother of two young children, said the fair helps spark her kids’ interest in science, robotics, and coding by giving them valuable early exposure. She believes hands-on STEM activities influence future learning choices and are essential as technology becomes more advanced. It was her first time attending KLESF, recommended by a friend, and she appreciates that the fair offers learning experiences beyond what books can provide.
Mr Siva (right) with his wife Ms Elvina and daughter Myra
Mr Siva expressed pride in his daughter’s Gold award win and praised the KLESF International Challenge for giving young innovators a platform to showcase ideas, learn from others, and improve their projects through meaningful feedback. He hoped the event could be held annually or even more often, and thanked the sponsors for supporting initiatives that empower the younger generation.
Puan Nur Amalina with her children and their friend
Puan Nur Amalina Hafiza binti Ahmad Nizar shared that she brought her children and their friends to the event to give them early exposure to STEM and to observe their interests. She felt that this is the best age to spark curiosity in science and technology, noting the importance of STEM education for the country’s future. She added that the wide range of activities—from robotics to chemistry and physics—helped her see which areas most attracted the children.
Ms Amy Lee (far right) and her students from Cactus Holistic Centre participating in the workshop
Knowledge sessions and expert sharing
Throughout the three-day Kuala Lumpur Engineering Science Fair (KLESF) 2025, a series of insightful and engaging talks enriched the event programme, offering visitors valuable perspectives on the future of STEM education, innovation, and real-world applications. The opening day featured industry experts Mr Jack Tan, Mr Alston Guangyi Fan and Mr Tyr Chen, who introduced participants to the dynamic landscape of AI Robotic Education. This was followed by Ir Sukuhairil Nizam bin Abdul Razak’s thought-provoking session on STEM as the Engine of Innovation, highlighting how STEM drives progress in a rapidly evolving world.
Ir Prof Dr Chee Pei Song later shared his insights in Living with Robots – The Future Starts Today, exploring how robotics is reshaping everyday life and future careers. The afternoon continued with Mr John Tay’s inspiring session on motivating the next generation through STEM and AI, followed by Assoc Prof Ir Dr Tey Jing Yuen’s presentation on additive manufacturing, showcasing how 3D printing is paving new pathways for technological advancement.
On the second day, Ir Dr Ricky Liew Chee Leong delivered a compelling talk titled Beyond the Paper, emphasising the enduring relevance of university education in the real world. Dr Rohaya binti Othman concluded the series with Unveiling the Science of Minerals, demonstrating how STEM can transform natural resources into impactful innovations.
Clockwise from top right: Dr Tey, Ir Sukuhairil, Mr John Tay, Dr Rohaya, Dr Ricky Liew, Prof Chee, Mr Tyr Chen and Mr Jack Tan during their sharing session
Also, a special webinar featured youth robotics teams from California, offering students an inspiring look into international STEM pathways. The session included an introduction to the High School FIRST Robotics Club by ninth-grader Winston Spiller, who shared his early journey in robotics and STEM interests. It was followed by a presentation from Fibotnacci, a Davis Youth Robotics team comprising middle-school students who have twice qualified for the VEX Robotics World Championship. The team highlighted their achievements, including winning the Design Award at the 2025 World Championship, and demonstrated their engineering design process while sharing lessons from competing at regional, state, and global levels.
Webinar session featuring insights from young robotics innovators
Be STEM Ready Challenge:
Another highlight at KLESF was the Readybotz robotics and drone competition, hosted by Yayasan Pendidikan Malaysia in collaboration with global STEM partners. The event brought together a range of robotics and drone challenges, from autonomous drone tasks to robotics sports and mission-based problem solving, providing students with an immersive platform to test their engineering skills, creativity, and teamwork. Benchmarked against international STEM.org standards, the competition exposed participants to diverse real-world applications while encouraging innovation through friendly yet competitive challenges.
Various challenges by Be STEM Ready
Young innovators from around the world:
Avan Lim (left) and Jared Wong
Avan Lim Wei Jun and Jared Wong Zi Jet from SJK(C) Lick Hung shared that it was their first time joining the event. They explained that their Smart Farm House project began with building a Smart House before combining it with additional features to form a complete model. Their project demonstrates how rainwater can be collected and reused, how solar panels can provide clean energy, and how smart systems help plants grow with less waste. The students expressed that they were very excited to participate in the fair, describing it as fun and a chance to explore other innovative ideas.
From left: Himeshan, Isabelle Kong and Arash
Inspired by their experience at KLESF 2025, the team from Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Jalil—comprising Isabelle Kong Jia Wei, Muhammad Arash Zinedine bin Mohd Tarmizi, and Himeshan Dev Sundran—expressed their admiration for the vibrant atmosphere of innovation. They enthusiastically noted the abundance of creative talent. They enthused, “Many creative people are here, some are even more creative than us.” Fueled by this inspiring environment, the young participants confirmed they would eagerly seize the opportunity to take part in the event again in the future.
From left: Teh, Chong and Lee
Chong Ray Ching, Lee U-chen and Teh Pak Heng from SJK (C) Puay Chai 2 shared that this was not their first time participating in a science fair, noting that they had taken part in MRC competitions and even appeared on RTM. They said that joining science fairs allows them to learn new things, as every venue has different environments and rules, and they can discover something new each time. Reflecting on their experience at KLESF 2025, Lee expressed that they felt calm because they had won a world championship before and were no longer afraid of competitions.
From left: Disyen, Faeq and Yasheelan
Disyen Sunthar, Faeq bin Mohd Suhardi and Yasheelan Segar from SMK Taman Desa 2 shared that it was their first time joining an event like this. They explained that their project took almost two months to design and that they had worked on it twice, including once as a school project. They expressed that participating in the fair helped them gain a lot of experience, especially since it was their first-time taking part.
From left: Ng, Tan and Anton Leow
Ng Jun Hao, Tan Zi Jing and Anton Leow from SMJK Jit Sin (Penang) shared that it was their first time participating, although they had joined similar events before, including a competition in Penang. They explained that they decided to participate after seeing other students from their school take part. Describing the fair, they said that KLESF was impressive in scale and “a very good event to cultivate students’ innovation.” They added that their project began from January this year and expressed that they were very happy to be accepted by the organiser on their first attempt.
From left: Fudhil, Arli and Mr Syahid
Muhummad Arli and Muhammad Fudhil Putra Samjaya from Pesantren IMMIM Putra Makassar, Indonesia shared, “It’s our first time joining KLESF, even though our school has participated four times since 2019.” One of them added, “It’s amazing, and the fair is good for our future.” Their teacher, Mr Nur Ahmad Syahid, explained that they attend every year because “this event is so interactive with us” and that “there are so many workshops” where students can gain hands-on experience. Reflecting on their visit, they expressed both excitement and happiness at being part of the fair.
Winners of Creative Science Drama Competition 2025:
Aviation Revolution: A Journey to Sustainability by Sekolah Kebangsaan Setiawangsa
The Last Hope by Sekolah Menengah Sains Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra
Winner of Smart City Mini Project Challenge:
Team Fantastic 5 received a trophy, RM 1,000 cash prize and an AMD Ryzen 7 9700X processor
Winners of International Challenge Booth:
Myra (third from left) on stage with her medal
Mahsa International School’s Myra Athena Sivanesan, a Year Four student, won Gold in the primary category with her project titled Velocity Glider. She said, “I believe we should ‘Save our country before the world.’ That’s why I built Velocity Glider to help keep our oceans clean and alive. I hope my little invention can make a big difference one day.”
From left: Namish, Savvieen and Aryanesh
Namish, Savvieen and Aryanesh from SJKT Vivekananda Brickfields shared, “We felt happy after winning the Gold medal because our hard work finally paid off.” They added that they were motivated because their parents were by their side, supporting them throughout the journey, and gave special thanks to their teachers for guiding them as well.” They expressed pride, saying, “I feel very proud of my research and I feel very proud of my friends.” They also said, “We’ve learned not to give up,” and concluded, “We had many experiences in this competition enjoyed it very much.”
From left: Regan Arrozac and Hanif Ali Rahman, Gold medal winners in the KLESF International Challenge (secondary school category)
Regan Arrozac and Hanif Ali Rahman from SMA Negeri 1 Semarang expressed their gratitude and excitement at participating for the first time in an international competition outside Indonesia, held in Selangor, Malaysia. They shared that it was an honour to take part in the KLESF International Challenge and that they were thrilled to win a Gold medal for their project titled “Investigating the Effects of Antidesma bunius Nanohydrogel on Wound Healing in a Mouse Model of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.”
They said that the event allowed them to learn many new things and exposed them to a wide range of innovative projects, particularly those supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They added that they hoped these innovations could one day be commercialised for public benefit and expressed their wish for KLESF to continue annually to give more students the opportunity to innovate and contribute to the advancement of science.
Third from left: Aulia LArasati Haryanto, Naila Shifa Elvareta and Latisha Valyn from Sekolah Indonesia Kuala Lumpur, Gold medal winners in the KLESF International Challenge (secondary school category)
Gold Award winners from Yanching Institute of Technology for their project Controlled Source Vehicle
From left: Jazlynn Leong, Shane Lim and Jimm Beh
Jazlynn Leong Xin Er and Jimm Beh Ji Cheng from the University of Nottingham Malaysia and Shane Lim Bing Yi from the Taylor's University won the Gold medal for their project, AIDAS (Artificial Intelligence enabled Driver’s Assistance System), at the KLESF Challenge 2025. They shared their joy as their six months of hard work finally paid off, noting the challenge of managing the project alongside classes, assignments, and final-year commitments.
They praised KLESF as a large-scale, international competition that provides meaningful industry exposure and the honour of meeting participants from different countries. They believe KLESF plays an important role in inspiring young students to explore STEM, sparking early interest and motivation through hands-on learning. The team hopes the event continues nurturing future talent, expressing their eagerness to participate again next year.
Winners of BRICS-ASEAN Competition:
Showcase of robotics creativity:
Robofest Exhibition: SMK Bandar Seri Putera students with their AI innovation Piezomat
Robofest Exhibition: Colégio Diocesano de São José 5 students Lam Pou U, Ng In Hei, Chan Hei Nam and Wong Wut Leng from Macau posing with their project Smart Traditional Chinese Medicine Box
Robofest Exhibition: Aplikasi Rainova by SK Seri Penanti students
Links to photo album:
1) KLESF 2025: Opening Ceremony
2) KLESF 2025: Performances / Talks
3) KLESF 2025: International Challenge
4) KLESF 2025: Workshops
5) KLESF 2025: Exhibition Booths
6) KLESF 2025: Competitions
7) KLESF 2025: Participants
8) KLESF 2025: Prizing Giving Ceremony
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