November 30, 2022. Putrajaya – Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) won double after emerging champion of the 2022 Innovation Entrepreneurs Competition of the Minister of Higher Education Cup and the winner of the Best Business Model Canvas (BM) Special Award and took home a total business grant of RM33,000 and an accompaniment trophy.

UPM represented by 3 students, namely Hoh Jia Da and Heon Hi Teng, Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology and Hairul Faizi Bin Hairulnizam, Faculty of Engineering has brought the innovation product which is the Edulab Zing educational game card.   This card game can make learning English more enjoyable for students from all socio-economic backgrounds.

The team,guided by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mass Hareeza Ali, Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development and Graduate Employability UPM, presented the idea of a social enterprise concept aimed at reducing the Education gap in Malaysia by innovating new ways of learning and practicing English with games

 "I am very grateful to the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) for organising such a prestigious competition and this is the best platform for us as students to highlight ideas or innovation products to the community and relevant agencies.

"The journey to emerge as a champion is not easy and we are delighted to have the support of the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development and Graduate Employability (CEM) who has always helped and provided the needs throughout our competition" said Hoh Jia Da who is now a final year student as a team leader.

According to him, the business grants received will be used to expand the business and marketing of Edulab Zing products as well as to organise more English workshops for B40 students in rural areas.

"The level of English proficiency among school students has deteriorated over the past few years. Therefore, we are trying to produce an innovation product in order to attract students and help improve their English proficiency.", he added.

The competition themed "Innovation Today For Future Sustainability" is in line with the current developments and needs where innovation in life needs to be applied to meet the challenges of globalization. A total of 62 groups from 47 Insititusi  Pen Pendidikan Tinggi (IPTA/IPTS/ Polytechnic and Community College) participated in the competition  to win the title.

UPM prides itself on the success  and  ability of students to  contribute their knowledge and expertise in nation building by providing innovative solutions to accelerate the digital transformation agenda.

The closing ceremony and presentation of prizes to the winners was presented by Datuk Dr. Mohd Zabri Yusoff, Deputy Secretary General (Management and Development) of the Ministry of Higher Education at the Zenith Hotel, Putrajaya.

Date of Input: 01/12/2022 | Updated: 01/12/2022 | zul_mohd