JOHOR BAHRU, 12 Feb – The KNU-UTM Students Innovators Start-Up Challenge 2025 (KNU-UTM SISC 2025) was successfully held at UTM Makerspace. The event served as a meeting ground for entrepreneurial talent from Kangwon National University (KNU), South Korea, and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), thus providing a platform for global innovation and collaboration. A total of 10 teams competed in this competition, presenting innovative ideas that have the potential to have a big impact in the startup world.
The event began with a friendly session by the KNU delegation led by Prof. Dr. Choi Seon Kang with UTM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim, accompanied by the Director of UTM XCITE, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdul Rashid Husain, and Dr. Kang Myoung Sook from the Language Academy, UTM. The meeting aimed to strengthen academic and entrepreneurial ties between the two universities as well as strengthen cooperation in the field of innovation. In his welcoming speech, Prof. Dr. Choi expressed his excitement about this high-impact collaboration, while Associate Prof. Dr. Abdul Rashid emphasized the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship in shaping a more dynamic and competitive generation of students.
In addition to the innovation competition, participants also had the opportunity to participate in an academic visit to the Marine Technology Laboratory at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and DF Automation Robotics. The visit aimed to expose participants to technology applications in marine engineering and automation robotics, as well as serve as a platform for the exchange of knowledge and ideas with industry experts.
This event not only strengthened the cooperation between KNU and UTM in startup development, but also encouraged cross-cultural collaboration between young entrepreneurs. The program also helped students build self-confidence and encouraged them to produce innovative products that are globally competitive. According to one of the participants, “This program not only opened up opportunities for us to develop innovative ideas but also to build networks with fellow entrepreneurs from abroad.”
As a highlight, the Prize Giving Ceremony was officiated by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), who also acts as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Prof. Ts. Dr. Ali Selamat. Also present were the Head of Administration of the Department of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Pn Hanifah Ahmad, and the leadership of the UTM Student Representative Council. The UTM Vice-Chancellor Award was given to five teams from KNU in the form of certificates and trophies, while the KNU President’s Award was presented to five teams from UTM who also received certificates and cash worth RM2,000. The three main winners of this competition were Arttab (KNU) who won the Gold Medal, P-Luke (KNU) with the Silver Medal, and SportX (UTM) who won the Bronze Medal.
This success is expected to be a catalyst for more achievements in the global startup world and inspire other students to continue to innovate and grow in the field of entrepreneurship. The highest appreciation is also given to all participants, jury panel, and committee members who have worked hard to make this event a success. KNU-UTM SISC 2025 is not just a competition, but a platform that sparks innovation, empowers young entrepreneurs, and produces global-class industry pioneers. With the beginning of this success, it is hoped that more students will come forward to innovate, create new solutions, and achieve success at the international level.
