Young innovators turn ideas into solutions at IEEE Future Scientists of Sarawak Maker Fair 2026

Miri, Sarawak – 25 October 2026 – From university students pitching technology-driven solutions to primary school pupils developing ideas to protect Malaysia’s natural treasures, young innovators took centre stage at the IEEE Future Scientists of Sarawak (FSOS 2.0) Maker Fair 2026, held at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri (Pustaka Miri) on 12 September.

The event brought together aspiring scientists, engineers and problem-solvers from primary schools to universities, providing a platform for them to apply their Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) knowledge to real-world challenges through creativity, experimentation and hands-on innovation.

Organised by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Curtin Malaysia Student Branch in partnership with the All Aboard Young Leaders Centre – Chumbaka Miri, the fair was supported by government agencies, industry partners and professional societies committed to advancing STEM education and talent development in Sarawak.

These included the Ministry of Education Malaysia; the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Sarawak (MEITD), Sarawak State Education Department (JPNS), Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS), Pustaka Miri, IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS) Curtin Malaysia, IEEE Industry Applications Society (IAS) Curtin Malaysia, IEEE Women in Engineering (WiE) Curtin Malaysia, and Ai3D (S) Sdn. Bhd.

Two competitions formed the centrepiece of the fair, giving participants at different educational levels the opportunity to showcase their ingenuity and compete for recognition.

The Tech Master Challenge (TMC) attracted 12 university student teams, each presenting original, technology-driven projects aimed at addressing practical problems. Team NPC, comprising Pee Lyon, Liew Hung Jiat, Lim Chong Yee and Louisa Lau Ying Zi, emerged as champion. Team HTTP203, comprising Muhammad Fayyad Irfan bin Abdul Kadir Badeges, Jeremiah Ryan Dennysius and Imran Shakeel bin Shaiful Rashdan, secured first runner-up, while Team Overdrive, comprising Fam Zhi Jun, Alexandrea Wilda William and Donna Angelina Chin, placed second runner-up.

Meanwhile, the Junior Innovator (JI) category brought together 20 teams from 11 primary schools across Sarawak’s Northern Zone. With a focus on developing creative solutions to protect Malaysia’s natural heritage, the competition encouraged young participants to explore environmental challenges through innovation and problem-solving.

Three teams earned gold medals and the opportunity to represent the Northern Zone at the state-level competition: PJ Siblings from SJK (C) Chung Hua Krokop, Nature Ninja from SJK (C) Chung Hua Sibu, and SKEL INNOVANGERS from SK Limbang.

Event chair Lai Yong Jun said the fair provided an important platform for young innovators to demonstrate their ideas while encouraging more students to explore STEM-related fields.

Professor Garenth Lim King Hann, IEEE Curtin Malaysia Advisor, said the initiative went beyond competition by creating opportunities for students, educators, families and the wider community to engage with STEM through hands-on activities, maker projects, demonstrations and technology-based experiences.

“By encouraging creativity, innovation, problem-solving and experiential learning, the Maker Fair aims to inspire the next generation of STEM enthusiasts, innovators and future scientists in Sarawak. Partnerships with IEEE student branches can also help extend STEM engagement to wider audiences,” he said.

Through initiatives such as FSOS 2.0, Curtin Malaysia and its partners continue to encourage young people to move beyond learning scientific concepts in the classroom and apply their knowledge to meaningful challenges, nurturing the curiosity and practical skills needed by Sarawak’s future innovators.

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

Young innovators, organisers and guests at the IEEE FSOS 2.0 Maker Fair 2026.

A Junior Innovator team presents its project to visitors at the fair.

University students showcase their technology-driven innovation during the Tertiary Maker Competition pitching session.