Ainex 2019: UMP’s search talent platform for students to invent or innovate cost-effective and eco-friendly products

Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP)’s Advanced Innovation and Engineering Exhibition 2019 (AiNEX 2019) received 50 entries of research products created by secondary and university students with this year’s theme focusing on products that were cost-effective and environmental-friendly.
The event was organised by the university’s Automotive Engineering Centre (AEC) and was held at Astaka Hall, Gambang Campus on July 3, 2019.
It was officially opened by AEC Director, Associate Professor Dr. Abdul Adam Abdullah.
Among the guests present were UMP’s Centre for Modern Languages & Human Sciences (CMLHS) lecturer, Captain Imaduddin Abidin and International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)’s Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences, lecturer Dr. Zafri Azran Abdul Majid. 
The competition was divided into three categories involving academicians, institutes of higher learning students and secondary school students.
In his speech, Associate Professor Dr. Abdul Adam said the objective of the competition was to produce young researchers from schools, colleges, polytechnics and universities.
He added that it was a channel for them to be creative and innovative so they could come up with products that were economical and eco-friendly.
“This is the third time that we are organising the event which is part of our efforts to continue supporting UMP’s mission in providing education, research and high quality service in the fields of engineering and technology.
“At the same time, this programme will help to promote the acculturation of creativity and innovation among the young minds.
“It is also the best platform for researchers to hone their talents and develop more competitive innovations and creations in the future,” he said.
The best overall award was won by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) student, Ahmad Nazrul Hakimi Ibrahim with his product, ‘Expoxidised Natural Rubber (ENR): Modified Bitumen and Asphalt Mixture’, which involved modification of bitumen for road construction that could solve road damages.
He also won first place for the university student category and took home a certificate, medal and cash of RM800.
UMP’s Faculty of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering won second place while Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) took the third spot.
For the school category, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Abdul Rahman Talib (SMART), Kuantan won first place, Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM) Tun Abdul Razak, Pekan won second place while the third place went to Sekolah Menengah Sains Selangor, Kuala Lumpur.
Under the college category, Temerloh Vocational College emerged as the champion, Indera Mahkota MARA Professional College was the first runner-up while Kuantan Vocational College was the second runner-up.
For the Commercialisation and Innovation Award, it was won by Temerloh Vocational College, Pahang through its product, ‘Auto Cut-off Fuel Ignition (AFI)’ while the Sekolah Menengah Sains Hulu Selangor in Batang Kali won the Innovative School Special Award.