Jenifer (fifth left) after presenting prizes to the winning team comprising Haziq (fifth right), Zulhikmah (third right) and Hastrini (second right). Also seen are Politeknik KK deputy director of academics Norhanom Awang (third left).
KOTA KINABALU: Rapid technological advancement in the industrial sector should not ignore environmental aspects of conservation, hence the emergence and importance of green technology, said Education and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob.
Green technology refers to the development and application of products, equipment, and systems to conserve the environment and nature to minimise the negative effects of human activities.
“Green technology includes reducing environmental quality degradation, having low or zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and being safe to use, as well as providing a healthier environment for all life, saving energy and natural resources and promoting renewable resources.
“The theme of Projex-19, ‘Greenovation Towards 4th Industrial Revolution, therefore coincides with the global scenario of today. The environment should not be compromised in our pursuit of advancement,” said Yusof, at the opening ceremony of the Students’ Innovation Projects Exhibition Competition (Projex-19) at Politeknik Kota Kinabalu. His speech was delivered by Assistant Minister Jenifer Lasimbang.
Yusof said green technology could even enhance economic development of the country through the use of technology and improve the quality of life for all humans and biodiversity in general.
“Adaptation of green technology in the industry can help reduce operating costs, increase asset value and profitability. Therefore, the performance of the economic life cycle can also be optimised,” Yusof added.
He further said that Projex is the platform to encourage everyone in Politeknik to give and share creative ideas, which could make their day-to-day tasks more efficient and effective.
The outset of a good idea does not necessarily come from management alone but from anyone, he said, as long as we are open to receiving suggestions.
“Projex is an important strategy in fostering a culture of innovation among the students of polytechnics to prepare them with a greater role in innovative education.
“I believe polytechnics, as one of the nation’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, will continue to play an important role in fostering a culture of innovation and creativity among students through the inclusion of a culture of creativity in teaching and learning activities,” said Yusof.
Earlier, Politeknik Kota Kinabalu Director Zainab Othman said Projex is a bi-annual programme involving the participation of final semester diploma students from the five major departments in Politeknik Kota Kinabalu, namely the Department of Civil Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering, Department of Commerce and Department of Tourism and Hospitality.
Besides meeting the needs of the students’ curriculum, the programme provides a platform for students to display their technical skills, as well as to foster innovation and culture among the community of Politeknik Kota Kinabalu towards excellence and effectiveness of teaching and learning.
“At the final stage of this competition, each department submitted 10 innovation projects and five best poster categories in order to compete. Today, there are 225 participants altogether, involving 60 supervisors from all five academic departments.
“The winner of Projex-19 will be selected to represent Politeknik Kota Kinabalu at the State and National levels in various competitions organised by the relevant agencies.
“In addition, successful innovation products will be registered under the Intellectual Property Protection (MyIPO) for two categories, which is the Patent Utility Innovation (IU) for the winning products, and as Copyright for the second and third place products,” said Zainab.
“It is my hope that through this Projex programme, we would be able to elevate the prestige of Politeknik Kota Kinabalu students to be on par with other higher institutions, while helping to achieve the government’s desire to promote TVET education in Malaysia,” Zainab added.
The overall winner of Projex-19 came out on top with their EKSA (Ekosistem Kondusif Sektor Awam) Smart Recycle Bin, which could calculate the price of recyclable items in order to encourage the public to dispose of used items accordingly and recycle them.
The EKSA Smart Recycle Bin was invented by Haziq Syahmi Dua, Zulhikmah Zulkipli and Hastrini M. Salleh. The trio will go on to compete at the State and National levels.