MBSB Berhad (MBSB), in partnership with
Association of Science, Technology, and Innovation (ASTI), successfully hosted
the prize-giving ceremony for the Young Inventors Challenge (YIC) 2025 and the
official launch of Young Inventors Challenge (YIC) 2026 at Menara MBSB Bank, PJ
Sentral.
Young Innovators Challenge (YIC) is an
annual program to inspire maker movement in secondary schools. In YIC, students
are supported by their teachers, mentors, and the program organiser, to solve
real-life problems using open-source embedded systems and software. Students
will have the opportunity to develop projects they are passionate about. This
will be a learning journey that nurtures their life skills.
Recap on YIC 2025:
The 13th edition of
YIC, themed “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” received 440 applications,
of which 343 proposals were submitted across 10 countries, including Malaysia,
Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines, China, South Africa,
Vietnam, amongst others. After a rigorous evaluation process, 173 teams
progressed to the evaluation stage, with the Top 32 teams selected for the
final viva round competing across several categories. Winners were evaluated
upon strong alignment with SDGrelated real-world problems, practical and
innovative solutions, clear prototype development, and strong teamwork and
presentation skills.
The programme delivered compelling
inventions, reflecting the creativity and problemsolving capabilities of young
innovators, an initiative strongly supported by MBSB in its commitment to
empowering youth and fostering future-ready talent. Among the standout
innovations were:
•Platinum Winner: Developed a device to
assist palm oil farmers in lifting and transporting heavy palm bunches. By
applying principles of levers, the device reduces physical strain, minimizes
injury risk, and improves efficiency, benefiting farmers’ health and
productivity.
• Gold Winner (REBIT): Created a solution
to improve road durability using recycled plastic and coconut husk mixed with
bitumen. The innovation strengthens roads against weather and heavy traffic
while promoting waste recycling and reducing maintenance costs.
Through its continued support of
initiatives such as the Young Inventors Challenge, MBSB reinforces its
commitment to nurturing innovation skills among youth, equipping them with the
mindset and capabilities to address real-world challenges and contribute
meaningfully to society.
Launching YIC 2026: Expanding
Opportunities for Young Innovators Building on the success of YIC 2025, YIC
2026 continues under the theme “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” and is
expected to see participation from 10 or more countries, further strengthening
its international reach.
This year’s edition offers students:
• A platform to solve real-world global
challenges
• Opportunities to develop inventions and
prototypes
• Exposure to international judging panels
and competition
• Recognition as future innovators and
problem-solvers
MBSB and ASTI are committed to nurturing
young minds through this program, empowering them to move from ideation to
implementation while fostering creativity, resilience, and global citizenship.
Dato’ Wan Kamaruzaman Wan Ahmad, Chairman
of MBSB, said: "At MBSB, we believe that true sustainability begins with
education. Our support for the Young Inventors Challenge is a strategic
investment in the intellectual capital of our youth. On top of celebrating
winners today, we are also empowering the architects of our future. By
fostering an 'innovator mindset' early on, we ensure that the next generation
is equipped with the creativity and resilience needed towards realising the
nation’s ‘Made-byMalaysia’ mandate.”
Dr Mohamed Yunu Yasin, President of ASTI,
said "YIC aspires to ignite a spirit of problemsolving by nurturing
confidence and resilience. It seeks to return the power of learning to the
learner, empowering each individual to chart their own unique path to discovery
and growth. We hope YIC will help the young participants on their journey
towards achieving their full potential".
