STEM Trailblazers at Curtin Malaysia draws over 500 students, celebrates young innovators

Miri, Sarawak – 10 August 2026 – More than 500 students from schools across Sarawak’s Northern region took part in STEM Trailblazers 2026, held at Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) on 29 and 30 July, showcasing student creativity and innovation through hands-on STEM and sustainability activities.

Held under the theme “Living STEM, Building Sarawak’s Future”, the fourth edition of the statewide programme featured four interactive workshops, sustainability-themed activities and 50 exhibitors from the education, industry and community sectors.

The event was organised with strategic support from the Sarawak Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) and three external exhibitors, namely the Sarawak Research and Development Council (SRDC), Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri, and All Aboard Young Leaders (Chumbaka Miri).

The key highlight of the event was the university’s flagship Curtin EcoTech Marvel Innovator Challenge 2.0, being held for the second time, which saw students from primary to postgraduate level compete by developing innovative solutions to real-world challenges.

The challenge winners in the primary school category were Guardian Angels of SJKC Chung Hua Krokop (1st place), PJ Siblings of SJKC Chung Hua Krokop (2nd place), Sweep Dreams Are Made of Clean of SJK(C) Kee Tee (3rd place), Team Green Guardians of SJK Tukau Miri (4th place) and Team AQUANOVA of SMK Long Bedian (5th place).

In the secondary school category, Powerpuff Girls of SMK Lutong Miri took first place, followed by OAYO! of SMK Merbau Miri (2nd place), Hopecore of SMK Lutong Miri (3rd place), Fungineers of SMK Kidurong (4th place) and Foodtech Innovators of SMK Long Bedian (5th place).

For the undergraduate category, Leong Jia Xin of Curtin Malaysia emerged as the winner, followed by Janssen Anak Junis and Mohamad Yusri Bin Mohamad Yunus of iCATS (2nd place), Kam Siew Hui of Curtin Malaysia (3rd place), Emily Kok Mei Jing of Curtin Malaysia (4th place) and Rafiq Rahimi Bin Abdullah and Dayang Nurshahira Binti Awang Morhidi of iCATS (5th place).

In the postgraduate category, Hamed Rahimpour of Curtin Malaysia took first place, followed by Bong Chu Jun (2nd place), April Chee Ling Kwang (3rd place), Teoh Yuan Ju (4th place) and Hamidreza Alizadeh (5th place), all from Curtin Malaysia.

Special awards went to Keith Henrique Gani Anak Jarvis and Aaron Anak Johnny of iCATS for “Best Industry-Relevant Solution”; Chilakala Mohana Venkata Seetha Mohit of Narasaraopeta Engineering College, India for “Best Social Impact”; and Ling Chong Hong of Curtin Malaysia for “Judges’ Choice”.

Opening the event, Professor Tuong Thuy-Vu, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Curtin Malaysia, highlighted the programme’s role in strengthening STEM engagement and equipping young people with the skills, curiosity and mindset to tackle future challenges.

Organising chairperson Professor Ir. Bridgid Chin Lai Fui said the event helped make STEM more accessible through interactive activities and student-led innovations, while encouraging participants to see science and technology as tools for addressing real-world challenges.

The programme, held concurrently in Miri, Sibu and Kuching, supports Sarawak’s broader STEM aspirations and its vision of developing a sustainable, digitally empowered economy, including growth in emerging sectors such as hydrogen and green technology.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit visit curtin.edu.my o or follow Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok.

Curtin Malaysia leaders, partners and participants at the opening of STEM Trailblazers 2026.

Curtin Malaysia leaders, partners and participants at the closing ceremony.

Primary school winners, Guardian Angels.

Secondary school winners, Powerpuff Girls.

Postgraduate winner, Hamed Rahimpour.

Students explore a Curtin Malaysia laboratory.