Two students from Wawasan Open University (WOU) have emerged among the Top 10 finalist teams at the Penang Youth Development Corporation’s (PYDC) Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC) 2025, following a competitive selection process involving 36 teams statewide.
Desiree Liew May Xun, 23, and Mohhit Ramesh, 22, who are pursuing the Bachelor of Digital Business (Honours) at WOU’s School of Digital Technology (DiGiT), were selected in the Open Category (ages 18 to 35) and will compete in the state-level finals on 24 January 2026, to be held at WOU’s main campus in Penang.
Turning ideas into real-world solutions
For Desiree and Mohhit, the competition became an opportunity to translate classroom learning into a practical business concept.
Their proposed startup, ResQ Labs, focuses on improving road safety and emergency response through two integrated solutions. MotoSOS is designed to detect motorcycle accidents and trigger real-time alerts, while MediSOS enables quick access to essential medical information to support faster emergency treatment.
“Reaching the state-level finals is incredibly meaningful for us,” said Desiree. “After progressing from the district-level stage, we took part in preparatory workshops that covered digital platforms, e-commerce, financial planning, funding basics, and product development. The sessions pushed us to think more critically about market needs and helped us refine our idea with greater clarity.”
Mohhit added that the exposure to digital commerce tools played a key role in shaping their approach.
“The e-commerce components were especially valuable. We learned how digital tools can strengthen a business model, build visibility, and support scalability — which directly influenced how we positioned our solution,” he shared.
Guided by mentorship and applied learning
Throughout the competition, the students were mentored by DiGiT senior lecturers Dr Racheal Poh and Dr Jayaeswari Sangaralingam, who guided them in refining their business model, strengthening their digital strategy and sharpening their pitch delivery.
“It was rewarding to see how the students applied what they learned in class to real decision-making,” said Dr Poh. “Their growth throughout the competition — particularly in leveraging digital platforms and articulating their value proposition — was very encouraging.”
Assoc Prof Ts Dr Andrew Tan, Dean of DiGiT, said the achievement reflects the applied and industry-relevant nature of WOU’s Digital Business programme.
“Our curriculum integrates business fundamentals with digital competencies to prepare students for today’s fast-evolving economy. Platforms like the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge allow students to test ideas, build confidence, and experience entrepreneurship beyond the classroom,” he noted.
Broader exposure and ecosystem engagement
In addition to the Open Category, the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge also includes a High School category (ages 15 to 18), with 30 teams participating from across Penang — highlighting the growing interest among young people in innovation and entrepreneurship.
As the programme’s strategic partner and venue sponsor, WOU’s role in hosting the state-level finals reflects its ongoing commitment to nurturing entrepreneurial mindsets and supporting Penang’s broader innovation ecosystem.
Beyond the competition itself, the YEC provides students with valuable exposure to industry perspectives, peer learning and real-world feedback — experiences that help build confidence, adaptability and entrepreneurial resilience.
Through initiatives such as these, WOU continues to emphasise experiential learning that bridges academic knowledge with practical application, enabling students to explore ideas, test possibilities and develop skills that matter in the digital economy.