Wawasan Open University’s (WOU) main campus in Penang became a lively setting for ideas, prototypes, and problem-solving as participants gathered for the WOU InnovateX 2026 Final Showcase and Competition on 27 June 2026.
Organised by WOU’s School of Technology and Engineering Science (STE), the competition formed part of the University’s broader effort to strengthen STEAM engagement by creating practical platforms for tertiary students, educators, researchers, and industry practitioners to connect around ideas shaped by Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics.
This applied-learning focus has guided WOU’s STEAM activities in 2026, including the introduction of the STEAM Apprenticeship Programme and related engagement initiatives. As the flagship showcase, InnovateX gave participants a platform to develop, present, and refine their projects through peer learning, industry evaluation, and public presentation.
Held in both online and on-site formats, this year’s InnovateX widened access and participation, with 40 participants completing the online presentation category and 16 finalist projects featured at the physical showcase. The on-site finalists represented tertiary institutions nationwide, as well as a Johor-based start-up.
The projects reflected a broad spectrum of innovation, ranging from artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, and smart farming to inclusive education, healthcare technology, sustainability, and digital learning systems.
In his opening remarks, Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Sean Tan, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), said the showcase celebrated “creativity, innovation, cooperation, and the courage to transform ideas into meaningful solutions”.
He added that the competition gave participants a valuable opportunity to test their thinking, learn from feedback, and strengthen their ideas through exchange with others.
“Innovation is not measured by only winning the trophy, but true innovation is about solving the real problem, improving life, and having resilience to keep learning and improving,” Dr. Tan said.
Keynote speaker Synmon Song (pictured below), Head of Research and Technical Director of Ezi Motartech Sdn Bhd, brought an industry lens to the showcase, drawing from his journey from mechatronics and robotics into construction chemicals to show how technical capabilities can move across sectors.
“I hope today’s session encourages you to see that engineering is not confined to one industry,” he said, adding that analytical thinking and problem-solving skills can create impact in fields ranging from robotics to advanced construction materials.
Grand Champion: An AI That Teaches Through Ten Personas
The Grand Champion Award went to Dr. Mohd Firdauz bin Mohd Fathir of UiTM Rembau for VERSA — Virtual Educational Role-based Smart Agent, an AI-driven educational model that deploys ten virtual personas, from The Analyst to The Visionary, to drive richer classroom discussion through multiple perspectives and role-based discourse.
WOU’s Rising Innovators
WOU’s own finalists earned strong recognition for their technical and applied potential:
- Seng Choi Yee (pictured left) (Bachelor of Technology (Honours) in Mechatronics) won the Most Market-Ready Innovation Award for Self-Balancing Cube, a Cubli-inspired prototype that balances on its edge or corner using motor-driven reaction wheels and real-time motion control — built from accessible components and 3D-printed parts.
- Jonas Ooi Yong Han (pictured right) (Mechatronics, final year) won the Best WOU Final Year Project Award for Movable Automated Tray Loader Unloader, a low-cost automation system that cuts manual handling, cycle-time delays, operator fatigue, and inconsistent product movement in robotic manufacturing.
Full List of Award Winners
- Gold: Ho Khai Zhi (INTI) — Wall Painting Robot Using Hybrid Controller
- Silver: Lim Xiao Syuen (Sunway University) — Designing Stable and Renewable Quasi-PAO Lubricants from Vegetable Oils
- Bronze: Preedha a/p R. Govindasamy (Sunway University) — EduSphere AI: A Framework-Driven Personalised Learning System for Higher Education
- Judges’ Special Award: Ts. Br. Mohd Dhiya Hafreez Bin Kamil (UiTM Perak) — Kontrak+: Digital Performance Monitoring for SME Contractors
- Emerging STEAM Innovation Award: Dr Noorehan Binti Awang (UiTM Shah Alam) — MathAble: Where Every Ability Shines
- Best Visual Communication Award: Yee Chin Chieh (Sunway College) — Aptive: AI Adaptive Study Planner with Quiz Generation
- Best Sustainable Award: Teo Choon Yee (AeroGreen Asia Sdn Bhd) — AeroPod: AI and IoT Smart Urban Farming System
On the Showcase Floor: More WOU Projects
- Thivellan A/L Mathavan (Electronics) — IoT Based Fire Detection System
- Saravanan A/L Kaniapan (Electronics) — Robotic Hand Controller by Glove Using Wireless Communication
- Nai Boon Mee Sararaks (Psychology) — Crystal Chakra Light & Frequency (Hz) Therapy for Health & Wellness Technology
- Lee Jia Hong (Mechatronics) — A Spatial Thin-Client Architecture for Portable Augmented Reality Desktop Environments
- Pavinraj A/L Ravi (Computer Systems and Networks) — IoT-Enabled Smart Nurse Call System for Private Nursing Home
WOU InnovateX 2026 was held in collaboration with MyDigitalMaker and supported by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), with Digital Penang as strategic sponsor and partners including the Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT) and the Technological Association Malaysia (TAM).