3 UTM Students amongst Top 5 Global Finalist in Korea’s Hackathon

Lau Yan Kai

POHANG, May 15 – A team of young innovators from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) – Lau Yan Kai, Lee Yin Shen, and Brendan Chia Yan Fei from the Faculty of Computing – gained international recognition as they represented Malaysia at the 2025 World Green Growth Forum (WGGF) Green Growth Idea Hackathon. This event took place from May 14 to 15 at the LAHAN Hotel in Pohang, South Korea.

The Green Growth Idea Hackathon, organised as a joint event of the 2025 World Green Growth Forum (WGGF), was successfully held at the LAHAN Hotel Pohang from the 14th to the 15th May 2025. — *The Green Growth Idea Hackathon, organised as a joint event of the 2025 WGGF, was successfully held at the LAHAN Hotel Pohang (Photo by Pohang City)*

The hackathon, themed “Encouraging Carbon Neutral Practices in Daily Life,” was organized by the City of Pohang in collaboration with global partners to support the worldwide movement towards carbon neutrality. The competition invited participants from around the globe to propose realistic and actionable solutions aimed at reducing carbon emissions through both individual and community-based actions.

Team Kimcheeez — Lau Yan Kai, Lee Yin Shen, and Brendan Chia Yan Fei at the hackathon venue in LAHAN Hotel, Pohang. — Team Kimcheeez — (from left) Brendan Chia Yan Fei, Lau Yan Kai and Lee Yin Shen at the hackathon venue in LAHAN Hotel, Pohang.

The team, known as Kimcheeez, was selected as one of the top five finalists in a global competition. They joined a total of ten teams—five from Korea and five from other countries—that advanced to the final round from over 76 teams across 13 countries. Their proposal focused on encouraging sustainable behaviors and was both creative and impactful.

The hackathon aimed to inspire practical and innovative ideas from young minds worldwide to address one of today’s most pressing challenges: climate change. Teams were evaluated based on the originality, feasibility, sustainability, and measurable carbon reduction potential of their ideas.

The Green Growth Idea Hackathon is more than just a competition; it serves as a platform to empower youth and promote international collaboration in the fight against climate change. Participants engaged in workshops, expert discussions, and idea-sharing sessions, with the winning solutions potentially being integrated into the official declaration of the Green Growth Vision to Promote Citizen Participation.

“We are grateful for this opportunity to showcase our concept on an international platform and to learn from other brilliant minds tackling climate change,” said the team. “Presenting our solution globally and engaging with talented teams from around the world has deepened our commitment to developing sustainable technologies that benefit both people and the planet.”

Captured at the iconic WGGF landmark at the Railroad Forest in Pohang, South Korea, during the cultural tour on May 13. This moment reflects both the scenic beauty of the host city and the spirit of international collaboration at the Green Growth Hackathon. — Taken at the iconic WGGF landmark in Railroad Forest, Pohang, during the cultural tour on May 13, this moment captures the scenic beauty of the host city and embodies the spirit of international collaboration at the Green Growth Hackathon.

Following the hackathon, participants engaged in a range of enriching activities. On May 13, all finalists enjoyed a cultural tour of Pohang, visiting popular landmarks such as the Space Walk at Hwanho Sunrise Park, the serene Pohang Railway Forest Greenway (Forail), and ending the day with a Pohang cruise and a networking dinner. The following day, participants attended the main WGGF forums, which featured keynote speeches and expert panel sessions covering topics such as global policy trends, climate technology unicorns, green growth cooperation, marine ecosystems, and blue carbon solutions. The event also included a ceremony for the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)–Pohang Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), highlighting a commitment to ongoing collaboration on green development.

The cultural tour on May 13 included iconic sites such as the Space Walk at Hwanho Sunrise Park, the Railway Forest, and a sunset cruise — offering a unique experience of Pohang’s natural and cultural beauty. (Photo by Pohang City) — The cultural tour on May 13 included iconic sites such as the Space Walk at Hwanho Sunrise Park, the Railway Forest, and a sunset cruise, offering a unique experience of Pohang’s natural and cultural beauty. (Photo by Pohang City)

The hackathon concluded on May 15 with the closing and award ceremony of the Green Growth Forum. The Mayor of Pohang City emphasized that the ideas presented by the youth participants are not only creative but also viable solutions for combating climate change and promoting greener living practices. Events like the Green Growth Idea Hackathon demonstrate that when given the right platform, young people can lead the way in shaping a sustainable future and become influential leaders in this mission.

Hackathon team with academic advisors — Picture of the team — (from left) Lee Yin Shen, Brendan Chia Yan Fei, Lau Yan Kai with their Academic Advisor, Dr. Muhammad Aliif Ahmad and Dr. Ahmad Najmi Amerhaider Nuar

The team’s participation was made possible by the support and sponsorship of Pohang City, which hosted the forum and provided an international platform for youth innovation. The students expressed their heartfelt gratitude to their Academic Advisors: Dr. Muhammad Aliif Ahmad, Dr. Seah Choon Sen, and Dr. Ahmad Najmi Amerhaider Nuar. Their dedicated mentorship and insightful suggestions were instrumental in refining the team’s pitching deck and presentation throughout the journey. Additionally, the team would like to extend their sincere thanks to the Faculty of Computing at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia for their continuous encouragement and support during this event.