JOHOR BAHRU, June 15 – The Faculty of Computing at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) successfully hosted the Digital Innovation & Technology Exhibition 2026 (DIGITEX 2026) on Monday, 15 June 2026, at the Faculty of Computing, UTM Johor Bahru. The single-day event brought together innovators, researchers, industry leaders and students from institutions across Malaysia and abroad, all united under the theme “Empowering Digital Innovation Through Collaboration.”

From morning registrations to the evening prize-giving ceremony, DIGITEX 2026 delivered a packed programme that celebrated groundbreaking ideas spanning artificial intelligence, healthcare, cybersecurity, education, Internet of Things (IoT) and sustainable technology.

A Day of Innovation: How the Event Unfolded

Three simultaneous tracks ran through the morning: the main Exhibition and Competition Session, an Industry Talk titled “AI & Business: Turning Ideas into Innovation,” and interactive Industry Exhibition Booths where corporate partners showcased their latest technologies.

The event was graced by the visit of UTM’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim, who officiated the launching of the Faculty of Computing’s brand-new “Wall of Fame,” a dedicated space recognising academic and technological milestones achieved by the faculty.

Also present during the visit was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Prof. Ts. Dr. Ali Selamat. The Vice-Chancellor then led a guided tour of the exhibition floor, engaging directly with participants and reviewing their prototypes.

The official Opening Ceremony of DIGITEX 2026 was officiated by Prof. Ts. Dr. Wan Mohd Nasir Wan Kadir, Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Quality and Digital Transformation) UTM, before culminating in the Grand Prize Giving Ceremony.

Record-Breaking Participation

DIGITEX 2026 received an overwhelming response from participants across Malaysia and abroad. Prior to the mid-May 2026 submission deadline, the organising committee received 230 applications, with 120 outstanding projects successfully shortlisted for the Grand Finale.

The finalists comprised 98 participants from various Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL), 10 participants in the Open Category representing public, private and government agencies, including eight international participants, as well as four teams from primary and secondary schools, reflecting a strong commitment to nurturing young talent in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

ANYPAY from UTM Clinches the Platinum Award

The highest honour of the competition, the Platinum Award (Best of the Best), was awarded to ANYPAY from UTM, led by Chew Zhuo Heng. The award recognises exceptional innovation, real-world impact, and overall excellence, making ANYPAY the standout project of the entire competition. The team received a cash prize of RM2,000, a plaque and an e-certificate.

Best Innovation Award Winners by Category

Category winners were also honoured with the Best Innovation Award, each receiving RM1,000 in cash, a plaque, and an e-certificate. In the Institutions of Higher Learning category, the award went to Real-Time EEG Blink Detection for Wheelchair Control System from Raffles University, led by Foong Hao Lim.

The Open Category award was presented to NIKKA System (Customs Classification and Valuation System) from the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, led by Ts. Mohamad Shahruzuan Shamsuddin.

The School Category award went to Engine Alert System from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Agama Bandar Penawar, led by Mohamad Zuhairi Izzudin Mohd Zulizzi.

The Netizen’s Choice Award, determined by public engagement through likes and shares on the FC Digitex Facebook page, was presented to SEEDDOWN from UTM. The team received a Marrybrown voucher worth RM100, a plaque and an e-certificate.

Medals Across the Board

Beyond the top awards, the competition recognised a wide range of innovative solutions. A total of 20 projects earned Gold Medals, 35 received Silver Medals, and 55 were awarded Bronze Medals. Projects spanned diverse fields, including smart healthcare, mental wellness, food waste recovery, cybersecurity, educational technology, IoT applications and sustainable development.

Strong Leadership and Sponsorship

In his address, Prof. Dr. Azlan Mohd Zain, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Computing and Programme Advisor, welcomed attendees and celebrated the community’s research excellence.

“Today’s event highlights groundbreaking research projects, promotes interdisciplinary interaction and knowledge exchange, and ignites curiosity and passion for computing,” – Prof. Dr. Azlan Mohd Zain, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Computing.

Programme Director, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Shahizan Othman spearheaded the collective efforts of all organising teams, including the main organising committee and the Competition Committee, led by Dr. Iqbal Tarik Idris. The event was made possible through the generous support of the main sponsor, Marrybrown, and co-sponsor, Nexscholar, both of whom are committed to inspiring future digital milestones.

Aligned with National and Institutional Goals

DIGITEX 2026 is strategically positioned to support Malaysia’s Ministry of Higher Education’s MADANI aspirations and UTM’s ASCEND 2030 plan. By fostering digital transformation and strengthening academia-industry partnerships, the exhibition contributes to national education reform while advancing UTM’s global standing.

With 230 submissions, 120 finalists, and participants from across the globe, DIGITEX 2026 has set a new benchmark for innovation exhibitions in Malaysia and a strong foundation for editions to come.