KUCHING – Swinburne Sarawak’s engineering student team Squadra MM emerged first runner-up in the recent IEM-UTM 1st InvencMax Competition that aimed to aspire participants to contribute ideas for innovations in transportation.
Squadra MM comprised students Chen Jia Jun (leader), Brian Soon Dean, Jon Bonnar anak Bores, Foo Shee Hong, and Millenium Wong. The team was led by robotics and mechatronics engineering lecturer Dr Tay Fei Siang and electrical engineering lecturer Ir. Ts. Dr Then Yi Lung.
In addition to winning the second prize, team Squadra MM also received the ‘Most Appealing Product’ award for their proposed innovative product to solve futuristic city problem.
Organised by the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia, UTM Student Section, the flagship event saw representatives from various local and international universities competing via online platform. This year’s competition carried the theme ‘Next Generation Transportation’ and required the participating teams to address problems pertaining to transportation in Malaysia.
The competition was divided into three phases where the first phase required the teams to submit a PowerPoint presentation and video presentation on the concept of innovative product. The second phase involved the submission of a poster along with virtual prototype, and the third phase involved seven finalists shortlisted from the first two phases competing in the final round.
In phase one, teams were judged based on originality and creativity, design, impact, potential, clarity, and how well their slides were documented. In addition, phase three judged how well their idea aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
The final round was also attended by Minister of Transport Datuk Seri Ir. Dr Wee Ka Siong, Vice Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Professor Datuk Ts. Dr Ahmad Fauzi Ismail, Dean of Faculty of Engineering UTM Professor Dato’ Ir. Dr Mohammed Rafiq, and Vice Chairman of IEM Southern Branch Ir. S. Thayala Rajah P.I.S.
Commenting on the competition, Dr Tay said both lecturers were able to discuss and improve the product design effectively with the students via online platform provided by Swinburne. He added that they are proud of the team’s effort and achievement despite joining the competition amid a busy schedule.
Meanwhile, Dr Then said students from Swinburne Sarawak have always been actively involved in national and international competitions, and his students had also secured few notable awards in the past for examples the British Council Award, Gold Medal in innovation expo and more.
Swinburne is currently offering the Fast-Track Swinburne Foundation programme that will commence on 5 July 2021. Upon successful completion, students can progress directly to a degree programme of their choice as early as March 2022.
For details, contact Swinburne’s Education Counsellor via WhatsApp at 019-819 6353 or email to study@swinburne.edu.my. Online counselling on demand is also available from Monday to Sunday, 10am to 10pm daily.
For more information about Swinburne Sarawak, visit its website www.swinburne.edu.my, Facebook page (@swinburnesarawak), Instagram (@swinburnesarawak), Twitter page (@Swinburne_Swk) or YouTube channel (Swinburne Sarawak).