FiMiEX 2021 highlights students’ talents in product design

KUANTAN, 30 September 2021 - FIM Innovation Exhibition (FiMiEx) 2021 is seen as a platform to highlight students’ talents in institutions of higher learning, school students and the community in commercial product design as preparation before participating in recognised and prestigious innovation expos.

Revolving around COVID-19, FiMiEX 2021 is in line with the indicators in 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) themed Better, Cheaper and Faster Solutions.

Concurrently, the FiMiEX 2021 Forum titled Vaccinating Innovation was also held, organised by the Faculty of Industrial Management (FPI) and the Centre for Human Sciences (PSK), in collaboration with the Centre of Industry and Community Network (ICoN), Graduate Development Department, Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP).

The forum was officiated by the Dean of FPI, Dr. Mohd Hanafiah Ahmad.

Also present were the Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Graduate Development Department, Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Nurul Hazlina Noordin, the Director of the Centre for Industry & Community Network, Associate Professor Dr. Saiful Anwar Che Ghani and Head of Programme (Knowledge Development) FPI cum the Programme Director of FiMiEX 2021, Captain Imaduddin Abidin.

According to Dr. Mohd Hanafiah, this forum aimed to polish and highlight students’ talents from all institutions of higher learning and schools throughout the country in creating innovative products so that they can compete at higher levels.

“It is hoped that this innovation activity can be implemented not only in organisation but also the community and is not necessarily technical-based innovation.

“In fact, innovation in management is also vast and can be implemented to all,” he said.
 
The webinar was moderated by the Deputy Dean (Research and Graduate Studies) of FPI, Associate Professor Dr. Puteri Fadzline Muhamad Tamyez.

While the panel consisted of academic professionals, industry and community representatives experienced in research, namely the Director and Founder of Zull Design Autotronic, Zulkifli Haron, Senior Lecturer of Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM), Ir. Ts. Mat Kamil Awang and the President of Malaysia TRIZ Innovation Association, Eng Hoo Tan.

The forum session began with each panel defining the term ‘vaccinating innovation’ through experience based on their respective fields.

In addition, the forum discussed how to become a TRIZ coach.

Recalling how he was known as Malaysia MacGyver, Zulkifli Haron said it came through innovation.

“The way to continue with life is innovation, and the better you innovate, the better your life.

“We must be creative and innovative as well as find the wow factor,” he said.

“The world of innovation is compelling, and age is not a barrier for everyone to be creative,” he said.

He added that success is ours as long as there are effort, interest, diligence and prayer, insya-Allah.

“Use our strengths as Malaysians to increase efficiency and wisdom in managing innovation.

“Never give up, keep working, be confident and pray and believe that success awaits ahead,” he said.

Also announced were the winners for FiMiEX 2021 which saw Associate Professor Dr. Cheng Jack Kie titled YANA - You Are Not Alone (Emergency Expert in a Click) from UMP bagged the gold medal for the staff category.

Also winning gold medals were Muhammad Zulfaqar Mazlan, K.B., P.A from Betong Vocational College and Ts. Dr. Norazlianie Sazali from UMP with their projects titled Pendigitalan Informasi PPD (PPD Information Digitalisation) and Reformed Polymide/Nanocrystalline Cellulose for Gas Separation, respectively.

Meanwhile, for the university/college student category, the gold medals were won by Ahmad Zakwan Mohd ‘Asri from Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) with the project titled Solar based Melaka River Cruise and Mohamad Irfan Arif Irwan Syah and Mohd Nur Fadzly Basar from UMP with the projects titled Sensorized Sanitiser attached with Petrol Pump Machine by TRIZ and Retirement Financial Wellness Index for Elderly Population in Malaysia, respectively.

For the school student category, the gold medal was won by Aqil Asyraf Mohd Shamsul Azmi and Suziyani Samsudin from Sekolah Kebangsaan Fakeh Abdul Samad with their project titled Brick Mate.

The research project by Tan Jian Zhi, Nur’aina Farhana Md Lukman, Quraisha Irdina Hazimin, Khairiyah Mohamad Nor and Norazlin A Rahman from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Alor Akar titled Natural Heat Recovery System also won a gold medal.

The project by Sofea Qalisha Jamiluddin from Sekolah Rendah Islam Ibnu Abbas titled Leaf Tapioca Flour Composite as Green Food Packaging bagged a gold medal and the UMPH Young Scientist Special Award.

The UMPH Young Inventor Special Award was won by Irfan Zauhayr, Mohamad Khir Johari with a project titled Pump from Used Refrigerator Compressor from Sekolah Kebangsaan Pengkalan Tentera, Kuantan.

Meanwhile, the UMP Ecopest Sdn. Bhd. Sustainability Development Special Award was won by Muhammad Mustakim Mohd Ghaztar from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) with his project titled Polymer - Industrial Productions.

Ahmad Rifqi Mohd Jerome Rinjes and Alvin John Romanus from UMP bagged the UMP Ecopest Sdn. Bhd. Green Special Award with their project titled Jet Fuel using Biomass.

By: Siti Nurfarmy Ibrahim, Corporate Communications Unit, The Office of The Vice-Chancellor (PNC) 

Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, Engineering College/Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology