MalaysianUpdates

Tag: #NextGenLeaders

  • Toyota Eco Youth 2026 Kicks Off with Hands-On Learning and Nationwide Participation

    UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, has officially launched the Toyota Eco Youth (TEY) 2026 programme, beginning with a two-day workshop held from 30 to 31 March, followed by its official opening at Wyndham Acmar, Klang. Earlier this year, the programme received an encouraging response nationwide, with 327 submissions from secondary schools across Malaysia. This strong participation highlights the growing interest among students in tackling environmental challenges within their communities.

    Now celebrating its 25th edition, Toyota Eco Youth has grown into a well-established national initiative aimed at nurturing environmental awareness while encouraging students aged 13 to 16 to develop practical solutions to real-world issues. Participants are guided to identify local environmental problems and address them using Toyota’s structured problem-solving approach. According to Datuk Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor, the programme goes beyond theoretical learning by equipping students with essential skills, confidence, and mentorship. It provides them with the opportunity to turn their ideas into impactful projects that can create meaningful change within their communities.

    From the total submissions, 30 schools have been selected to move forward into the workshop and project implementation phase. Each school will receive a RM3,000 grant, contributing to a total of RM90,000 in funding to support their initiatives. This hands-on approach reflects TEY’s focus on experiential learning, allowing students to test and refine their ideas in real-life settings.

    In addition, TEY 2026 offers RM80,000 in prize money, bringing the total programme allocation to RM170,000. The top three winners will receive RM30,000, RM20,000, and RM10,000 respectively. Throughout the workshop, students and their teacher-advisors are provided with guidance and mentorship to strengthen their project plans, set clear implementation strategies, and monitor progress effectively. This phase emphasises collaboration, creativity, and a strong sense of environmental responsibility.

    Following evaluations and progress reviews, the top 15 schools will advance to the final stage at the TEY 2026 Convention and Exhibition, scheduled to take place from 2 to 4 November 2026, where they will compete for the main awards. Toyota Eco Youth continues to play an important role in inspiring young Malaysians to become proactive environmental leaders by offering structured support, hands-on experience, and recognition for their efforts in driving sustainable change.

  • Digital Innovator Programme (DIP) Cultivates Tomorrow’s Tech Pioneers in Malaysia

    Digital Innovator Programme (DIP) Cultivates Tomorrow’s Tech Pioneers in Malaysia

    The Digital Innovator Programme (DIP), a collaborative initiative by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Ministry of Education (MOE), and National University of Malaysia (UKM) through Pusat PERMATA@Pintar Negara, continues to shape Malaysia’s digital future by nurturing the nation’s next generation of tech leaders. Launched in 2021, DIP has quickly established itself as one of Malaysia’s most impactful digital talent development programmes, selecting over 200 high-potential students nationwide. The programme employs a hands-on, project-based learning approach, integrating real-world problem-solving with mentorship from industry experts. Its curriculum focuses on critical domains such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Science, Internet of Things (IoT), Cybersecurity, Computer Science, and Technopreneurship, equipping students with the skills and mindset necessary to thrive in an evolving digital economy.

    Since its inception, DIP students have excelled on both national and international stages, participating in over 150 competitions. Notable achievements include Syafeeqa Aqeela Binti Roshidi, who won a Gold Medal at the Horizon Olympiad Global Round 2025 in the United States for coding in Python, and Lew Jia Jin, who emerged as Champion and Top Scorer at the Southeast Asia Computer Science Olympiad (SEACSO) 2025 in South Korea, demonstrating proficiency in Block, Python, and JavaScript. Additionally, Khaira Adriana Binti Nor Azizi and Benjamin Ooi represented Team Malaysia at the FIRST Global Challenge 2025 in Greece, securing three international awards in Global Explorer, Video Storytelling, and Social Media Challenge categories out of 190 countries.

    Lew Jia Jin emerged as Champion and Top Scorer at the Southeast Asia Computer Science Olympiad (SEACSO) 2025 International Round in South Korea. He demonstrated exceptional coding skills across Block, Python and JavaScript, integrating these languages in his projects.

    MDEC Chief Executive Officer, Anuar Fariz Fadzil, praised the programme for transforming potential into excellence, describing the students as “Malaysia’s digital treasures” whose development directly contributes to national progress. UKM Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Sufian Jusoh highlighted that DIP serves as a national platform, turning young Malaysians into global-ready innovators capable of shaping the country’s digital trajectory. To ensure the sustainability and expansion of DIP, particularly for students in rural areas, MDEC and UKM have launched the DIP Fundraising Campaign under the UKM Chancellor Foundation (Yayasan Canselor UKM), inviting contributions from individuals, corporations, and philanthropic organisations to support equipment procurement, scholarships, and programme growth. Through DIP, Malaysia is not only bridging its digital talent gap but also cultivating a generation of innovators ready to make an impact on the global stage.

    Syafeeqa Aqeela Binti Roshidi – Foundation 2 DIP student, clinched the Gold Medal at the Horizon Olympiad Global Round 2025 held in the United States in July 2025for coding using Python as the programming language.