b'24 Member News November 2021VolunteersMalaysia Young Professionals launch innovative hackathonIn June, Young Professionals (YPs) from the IETA three-stage Malaysia Local Network launched an excitinghackathontechnology-based competition to address global The hackathon was divided conservation issues. into three stages:Ivan Ling MIET, AssistantTechnical know-how Stage 1entrants submitProfessor at the University ofan initial proposal Southampton Malaysia, hasThe competition was open to Stage 2the top 20 been an IET volunteer forall students, YPs and individualsubmit a five-minute proof nearly 10 years and is the currentmakers in Malaysia. Ivan and hisof concept videoChair of the IET YPs Malaysia. Inteam of six YPs promoted the Stage 3the top 10 2019 he led his team to victorycompetition online, assisted bycreate a working prototypein the IET Global Challenge witha range of eye-catching posters, PICAS Block, an environmentallyand received 42 entries from friendly packaging solution foraround Malaysia.The first stage was judged by dried, loose food products.Entrants had to use their technicala panel comprising IET YPs and know-how to tackle conservationengineering professionals. The issues in a simple yet effective way,second and third stages were said Ivan. We were looking forjudged by representatives from creative, novel, feasible solutionssupporting organisations, including that could be implemented andthe IET Malaysia Local Network.commercialised quickly, usingThe five winning ideas ranged readily available technology. from a Smart Bicycle Generator The IET Malaysia Local Networkto an Automated Algae Removal provided some great contacts thatBuoy made from plastic bottles. supported the competition. TheyMAGIC is now helping the winners included Cytron Technologies,to accelerate their ideas from which actively promotesprototype to production, to help STEM education locally, andsave the planet.government-linked body MAGIC,Talented engineersThe IET Hack//Planet competition is heavilywhich promotes innovation locally. It has been extremely exciting to inspired by the IET Global Challenge. Its threeorganise something on a national themesWildlife Conservation, Green Planetscale, said Ivan, and to identify and Cleaner Seasare the most pressingtalented engineers who are conservation issues in Malaysia and, by extension,passionate about the environment. the whole world. As Young Professionals, weSocial distancing requirements wanted to raise awareness about them and seekmeant that we had to limit the innovative technology-based solutions. Top row, left to right: number of finalists to 10. However, Muhammad Aiman Hafiz Marakar,once the pandemic is over, I hope Ling Ting Yang (Ivan), Lim Yi Farn (Steve) this inaugural event leads to a far Bottom row, left to right:Ivan Ling MIET, Assistant Professor at theAlvin Hartanto, Tan Gi Ann, Nurul Haidahbigger hackathon and makerthon University of Southampton Malaysia Binti Hamizan, Ling Xian Hann (Andrew) in Malaysia.Find out more about IET volunteering at theiet.org/volunteering'