Plastic waste, food waste, climate awareness, medicine disposal, and health monitoring were among the issues explored by primary and secondary school students at the Innovative Sustainability Challenge 2026, held at INTI International University on 20 May 2026.
Approximately 200 students and teachers from 14 primary and secondary schools across Negeri Sembilan gathered at INTI International University for the Innovative Sustainability Challenge 2026, where students presented SDG-focused projects through posters and pitches.
The event, known as ISC2026, brought together 45 teams from 14 institutions across Negeri Sembilan. Participants developed ideas based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and presented them through a three-minute pitch and poster presentation.
The Tan Yew Sing Multi-Purpose Hall was filled with posters, prototypes, and young presenters explaining their ideas to judges, teachers, and fellow participants. Some projects looked at how waste could be reused or reduced, while others explored how technology could support health, safety, and environmental awareness.
Programme Chair Professor Ir. Dr Malathy Batumalay said ISC2026 was designed to help young people understand the role they can play in building a more sustainable future.
“We are in an era where sustainability is no longer optional, but essential. Initiatives like this play a crucial role in nurturing young leaders who are capable of driving positive change,” she said.
Professor Ts. Dr Wong Ling Shing, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation at INTI International University, said that sustainability should not be seen as a responsibility borne solely by adults.
“Sometimes, environmental and sustainability issues may seem like problems only for adults to solve. But that is not true,” he said when officiating the event.
Dr Chong Kok Wai, Chief Executive Officer of INTI International University & Colleges, delivered his speech at the opening of ISC2026, where he emphasised the importance of experiential learning, creativity, critical thinking, and sustainability-driven innovation.
“These are real and current challenges that every generation must face together.”
Dr Chong Kok Wai, Chief Executive Officer of INTI International University & Colleges, said programmes such as ISC2026 help students build confidence through hands-on learning.
“A university is a place where questions are welcomed, ideas are tested, and people are encouraged to think beyond what is familiar,” he said.
“Not every idea has to be perfect from the start. What matters is the willingness to observe, think, and learn.”
The competition featured projects across several award categories. In the Best Poster Award category, primary school winners included “SJU Plastic” by SJKT Nilai and “Floral Cycle” by SJKT Desa Cempaka. Secondary school winners included “Sustainable Fabric” by SMK Methodist ACS, “Orange Peel Plastics” by SMJK Chan Wa, and “Natureware: Turning Food Waste Into Bioplastic” by Tunku Kurshiah College.
For the Best Pitching Award, primary school winners included “The Germ Buster Smart Tap” by SJKT Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi and “ASP Eco Candle” by SJKT Nilai. Secondary school winners included “MEND: A Machine Learning Framework for Medicine Education and Navigated Disposal Prediction” by Tunku Kurshiah College, “Climate Budget Tracker” by SMK Methodist ACS, and “AquaTerra Smart Module” by SMK St. Paul’s.
SMJK Chan Wa won the Best Team Award for secondary schools with “EcoEatWare”, while SJKT Nilai won the primary school category with “Herbal Oil”.
Industry awards were also presented to selected projects. iBlooming Global recognised SJKT Nilai for “JGS Smart Bottle”, while HaiZhiChen recognised SMJK Chan Wa’s “Smart Entry” and SJKT Nilai’s “Baby Monitoring Health”.
For many participants, the challenge was also a chance to speak about their ideas and learn from others.
SMK Methodist ACS student Saundarya A/P Somasundram said winning the Best Poster Award in the secondary school category was especially meaningful.
Students from Tunku Kurshiah College presented their project, “MEND: A Machine Learning Framework for Medicine Education and Navigated Disposal Prediction,” which won the top prize in the Best Pitching category at ISC2026.
“The most exciting part for me was representing my school and making everyone proud,” she said. “Seeing our hard work pay off felt very rewarding.”
Her teammate, VDaniel Elnathan A/L Edward Raymon, said the competition allowed them to share their interest in sustainability with a wider audience.
“It was exciting to present our project and explain how it could help contribute to sustainability,” he said.
Dilraaj Singh A/L Taranjit Singh said innovation and sustainability are important for young people as they think about the future.
“We need the right mindset, confidence, and creativity to improve our communities and make a positive difference for the next generation,” he said.