Two student-led startups from INTI International College Penang (IICP) made an impression at the 2nd ICT Startup Pitching Competition 2025 in Japan. Held on 21 February, the event brought together young entrepreneurs from Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand to showcase tech-based solutions with social and commercial potential. IICP’s teams, SolarEd and SENIV, delivered strong debuts on this international platform.
SolarEd won the Third Winner Award for its solar-powered, portable digital classroom, designed to improve access to education in rural Malaysia. The project is developed by engineering and computer science students and addresses educational inequality using practical, sustainable technology.
Prasant Pillai a/l Vigneshwaran Pillai, team leader of SolarEd and student from IICP’s School of Engineering, pitching ‘Project Pathway’ during the ICT Startup Pitching Competition 2025 in Japan.
“We wanted to build something that genuinely helps communities,” said Prasant Pillai a/l Vigneshwaran Pillai, team leader and student at IICP’s School of Engineering. “We never expected to win internationally, but this recognition validates our idea and gives us a global platform to grow.”
Yuganeswran a/l Murale, a teammate from the Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering 3+0 programme, offered in collaboration with Coventry University, UK, added:
“Being part of this journey has been transformative. We learned how to turn a concept into a viable solution and pitch it to an international audience. The experience has pushed us beyond our comfort zones and inspired us to do more with tech for good.”
SENIV received the High Success Potential Award for its sustainable approach to electronics. Its kinetic-powered prototype eliminates the need for disposable batteries in small devices such as wireless keyboards and remote controls—tackling the growing e-waste problem.
“What started as a casual idea became something impactful, thanks to INTI’s support and guidance,” said co-founder Tharmeshh a/l Elangkovan, who developed SENIV with Quah Kah Aik. Both students are enrolled in INTI’s collaborative degree programmes with Swinburne University of Technology and Coventry University.
Tharmeshh a/l Elangkovan, co-founder of SENIV and student from INTI’s collaborative degree programmes with Swinburne University of Technology and Coventry University, presented their kinetic-powered solution during the competition.
Startups were assessed based on innovation, practicality, impact, commercial potential, and pitch delivery. Both INTI teams refined their concepts through mentorship, internal pitching rounds, and access to global platforms—supported by the IICP Startup Incubator and INTI’s broader entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“These wins are a testament to what students can achieve when given the right tools, guidance, and platform,” said Hazwan Halim, lecturer at INTI’s School of Engineering and coordinator of the IICP Startup Incubator. “We’re incredibly proud to see our students compete and excel on the international stage.”
“At INTI, we believe innovation should always serve a greater purpose,” added Hemalatha Murugiah, Chief Executive of INTI International College Penang. “Our students’ achievements in Japan reflect not only their technical skills but also their passion for creating solutions that address real-world challenges. We proudly champion a learning environment where ideas are nurtured into impact.”
(From left) Chiae Wai Hwin, Yuganeswran a/l Murale, Dhaveprashaad Arumugam, and Prasant Pillai a/l Vigneshwaran Pillai of SolarEd, representing INTI International College Penang at the 2nd ICT Startup Pitching Competition in Japan.
As SolarEd and SENIV continue developing their prototypes, their progress highlights the kind of education INTI strives to offer—one that extends beyond technical skills to instil a global outlook and a drive to solve meaningful problems. With growing international exposure and hands-on entrepreneurial experiences, INTI students are proving they’re not just ready for the future—they’re shaping it.