KUCHING: The Portable Incinerator Innovation Product from Politeknik Mukah emerged as the champion in the KKKG Innovation Challenge State Level 2023 organised by Community College Kuching at the Multi-Purpose Hall, Kolej Komuniti Kuching (KKKG) here on Thursday (Oct 26).
A total of 14 groups competed, with 12 entries from Kkkg and one each from Politeknik Mukah and Kolej Komuniti Santubong, presenting captivating and innovative creations for this event.
According to the chief judge, Ir Dr Muhammad Syukri Imran Abdullah, a Senior Lecturer from the Faculty of Engineering at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), expressed amazement at each of the innovations presented.
“Students from Politeknik and Kolej Komuniti institutions have great potential to create significant innovative inventions, as I have seen in the 14 innovation projects presented, there are original ideas that have the potential to produce relevant and high-quality new products and technologies.
“In my opinion, the ability to create innovation is not just a natural talent but also the practical ability possessed by POLYCC students, combined with their innovative skills, is a strong combination to be developed and refined by TVET institutions such as Politeknik and Kolej Komuniti.
“I believe that if these POLYCC students are continually given the opportunity to hone their innovation skills, they can be on par with TVET graduates who hold diplomas or higher.”
The second panel judge, Ts Mohd Anis Yaziq Alimin, a lecturer from the Faculty of Architecture at Unimas, mentioned that the winners of the innovation competition are not solely based on pitching or how each group introduces their innovative product.
“For me, each innovative project from the 14 groups has its unique features, making it difficult for me to judge. Nevertheless, for the top five innovative products, they were seen as having innovation that has a positive impact on society and can solve community issues.
“I strongly encourage the innovative products created today to be patented as soon as possible, without waiting any longer. The goal is to make these innovative products commercial, making them products that can be sold and benefit the community on a broader scale.”
“At Unimas, we can collaborate globally with TVET institutions such as community colleges and polytechnics in the effort to patent innovative products.
“This step is also aimed at fostering the interest of TVET students in the field of innovation, as well as providing them with the opportunity to continue learning and advancing their education to diploma, degree, and even master’s levels,” Anis added.
Earlier, the Portable Incinerator Group won the Best Innovation Award and also secured the Best Pitching Award.
The Assist Ruler Group clinched the second place for the Best Innovation Award and received the Best Poster Award, while the Autocad Backpack Group secured the third place for the Best Innovation Award.
The KKKG Innovation Challenge is in conjunction with the Academy Month Celebration of the Department of Polytechnic and Community College Education (JPPKK) 2023.
Present at the event were the deputy director of Academic Affairs, Mervin Gumba Sigai; director of the KKKG Innovation Challenge 2023, Emaria Ahmad; head of the Certificate Program in Building Technology (STS), Mohd Zulkarnain Salehudin; head of the Fashion and Apparel Program (SFP), Nur Hakim Raifli; and head of the KJK Program, Siti Nur Aishah Lukman.
