KOTA SAMARAHAN: Velesto Energy Berhad is collaborating with the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), to organise the VIBES Innovation Challenge at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), aimed at nurturing young talent and driving innovation in technology, sustainability, and industrial development.
This hackathon-style competition has attracted 151 student participants grouped into 35 teams, each challenged to develop practical, innovative solutions to real-world issues.
The semi-final and final rounds will take place on May 20 and 21 at the Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Hall, UNIMAS.
In a joint statement, Velesto and SEDC said the competition encourages students to apply their academic knowledge to address key industry challenges while fostering a culture of innovation.
The initiative reflects both organisations’ shared commitment to improving education, strengthening workforce readiness, and advancing Sarawak’s long-term vision for a knowledge-based, sustainable economy.
Since its launch on Mar 24, the VIBES Innovation Challenge has featured a series of ideation workshops, mentorship sessions, and evaluations led by professionals from Velesto, SEDC, and UNIMAS.
“This competition is part of the broader VIBES Initiatives, designed to cultivate local talent through hands-on STEM learning experiences.
“It also supports our goal of building an innovation-driven ecosystem in Sarawak,” the statement added.
The closing ceremony will be officiated by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
Also expected to attend are Velesto president Megat Zariman Abdul Rahim, SEDC general manager Datuk Abdul Hadi Abdul Kadir, and UNIMAS vice-chancellor Professor Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit.
The initiative, formalised through a memorandum of understanding on Dec 5, 2023, is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 17 (Partnerships), highlighting the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in achieving impactful, sustainable development.
