Stimulating Minds with the YOUTH@RESEARCH 2007 Competition

The School of Computer Technology, Sunway University College organised its second run of the highly successful Youth@Research 2007. It was held on 5th September and culminated with the awards presentation on the 6th September. The event was in line with the Government’s effort to position Malaysia as a competitive knowledge-based economy with e-information and communications technology (e-ICT) as the enabler towards globalisation of ICT and multimedia hub to enhance competitiveness.

The main objective of the event, themed “Research Towards Excellence in ICT 2007” was to highlight the importance to youth and to inculcate research culture among youth as part of their life long learning. Students from secondary schools and graduates from Institutions of Higher Learning were given the opportunity to participate by presenting their very own research and development in any areas of ICT.

There were a total of 73 entries of research papers from the tertiary level and 23 research papers submitted by secondary students nation wide. All short listed participants were provided with presentation skill training to prepare them for the Youth@Research 2007 presentation. The tertiary level was organised jointly with MDEC in conjunction with the University-Industry Commercialisation Collaboration Forum.

The judges applauded all participants for their creative and efforts in research and awarded three winners each in the tertiary as well as the secondary school level.

SMJK Kwang Hua, Klang was the 2nd runner up as the team presented their research in showcasing how Form 4 chemistry lessons will be more effective through micro-scale experimental techniques as compared to the traditional use of chemical equipments. The enlightening research project was titled “Quantitative Analysis Made Easy”.

SMJK Yu Hua, Kajang walked away with the 1st runner up title with its project titled “Effectiveness Of A Cyber Hub In A Secondary School”. The research project displayed how cyber hubs are beneficial to students in secondary schools in improving their performance in their education.

The winning team for the secondary school category from SMK Damansara Jaya, Petaling Jaya presented its impressive and comprehensive research project, investigating the public’s level of familiarity with video games and their gaming habits.

Merit awards were given to SMK Seafield, Subang Jaya and Air Merah, Kulim, Kedah in the secondary school category.

For the tertiary category however, the competition was much more steep and comprehensive.

The second runner up in the tertiary category were led by a group of international students from Bangladesh and Yemen with its project titled “Like Deelers”.

The first runner up in the tertiary category are from Sunway University College, researching in Hologram Keyboard and Monitor.

Multimedia University clinched the winning champion title with its intricate research project entitled “A Secure Touchless Authentication via RFID and Revocable Biometrics”.

“I’m really excited about winning this award. It was an idea that came to my head but I put it into words to suit the theme of the competition. I’m glad that it has already been implemented successfully at my university,” exclaimed Tong Kin Foo, Multimedia University, champions in the tertiary category.

Wilson Chong Wei Shen from Sunway University College shared that “It was a good experience for us in the 4 months that we took to prepare for this and we learnt – No pain, no gain”

The winners proudly walk away with RM 3000, RM 2000 and RM 1000 prize money, certificates and medals for the first, second and third placing respectively under the two categories for schools and tertiary level participation. The event organizers were grateful for the full sponsorship from EMC Global Sdn Bhd, SC-PNP Edaran Sdn Bhd, The STAR, PC.COM, EC-Council, Asia Chain Management, Sun Microsystems Sdn Bhd, and Oracle Corporation Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

For further information, please visit http://sctnet.sunway.edu.my/youth.