MIRI: Team ASTROBYTE from Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak emerged as the champion in the senior category at the NASA Space Apps Sarawak 2024 competition with their project titled “Ticket to the Cosmos.”
The team outperformed four other teams to secure the top spot, taking home a cash prize of RM7,000, along with certificates and medals for each member.
Hackers & Moles from the University of Technology Sarawak were the first runners-up, winning RM4,500, while the second runner-up position went to SupaStellar from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), who walked away with RM3,000.
Consolation prizes of RM2,000 each were awarded to The Space Rangers from the University of Technology Sarawak and CosmicNova from UNIMAS.
In the junior category, SMK Merbau’s Stardust Merbau triumphed with their “Exoplanet Exploration” project, earning the champion title and a cash prize of RM5,000, along with certificates and medals.
The Voyager team from SMK Methodist was the first runner-up, taking home RM3,000, while ORION-5A from SMK DPHA Gapor placed third with RM2,000.
Consolation prizes worth RM1,000 each were presented to Nebula Navigator from SMK Kapit and Dubai from Woodlands International School.
The prizes were awarded during a ceremony on Monday night by Sarawak’s Minister for Education, Innovation, and Talent Development, Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, alongside Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee.
In his speech, Sagah urged students, undergraduates, teachers, parents, and government officials to embrace innovation and strive for continuous improvement, despite daily challenges such as limited funding, teacher shortages, or expensive travel. He emphasized teamwork, collaboration, and innovative thinking as essential tools for progress.
He also encouraged the NASA Space Apps Sarawak team to expand their collaborations with various organizations to promote a culture of innovation among Sarawak’s youth.
