GETB, UTM To Empower Younger Generation In Recycling Plastic

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 (Bernama) -- Great Eastern Takaful Bhd (GETB)  with its strategic partner, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) launched the GREAT Innovation Challenge, a national-scale initiative aimed at empowering the younger generation in exploring plastic recycling innovations based on technology and sustainability.

The programme provides an opportunity for university and college students nationwide to improve plastic recycling machines to be smarter, more mobile and equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) integration, thus converting plastic waste into valuable products.

GETB chief executive officer, Shahrul Azlan Shahriman said the challenge is a symbol of the company's commitment in fostering sustainable innovation and environmental awareness through education and technology.

“By empowering the younger generation to explore innovation in the field of renewables, we are contributing to a future where sustainability and engineering go hand in hand.

“We are also confident that the solutions born from this initiative will inspire broader action towards sustainable innovation in Malaysia,” he said in a statement today.

Meanwhile, UTM Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIRO) director Professor Ts Dr Mohd Ibrahim Shapiai, said that as a strategic partner, UTM brings its deep expertise in the fields of AI, robotics and engineering to the challenge.

“GREAT Innovation Challenge provides a meaningful opportunity for students to explore how technology can drive sustainable solutions,” he said.

He said UTM believes that innovation in the field of AI and smart systems with a focus on aspects such as resilience and mobility, can have a major impact in strengthening environmental conservation efforts.

“We are honoured to be able to guide participants through the design, prototyping and system integration processes so that their ideas are not only creative, but also technically sound and in line with the goal of sustainability,” he said.

The challenge offers prizes and grants totalling RM77,000 for the best conceptual, functional and innovative ideas, including grants of RM8,000 to the five best teams to help produce their own machines.

Participation is open to university students throughout Malaysia from Sept 12 to 30 via the website research.utm.my/cairo/greatinnovationchallenge.

Apart from UTM, the challenge is also supported by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) with the aim of guiding Malaysian youth in leading the country's transition towards a more sustainable future.

-- BERNAMA