BATU PAHAT, Oct 30 – Three undergraduate students from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (FKM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), have made their university proud after winning a silver medal at the International Undergraduate Innovation Competition 2025 (IUIC’25) held at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Batu Pahat.
The talented trio — Azam Fahmi Ahmad Fazli, Muhammad Faris Muhammad Anas, and Muhammad Hafizuddin Mustapa — all second-year students pursuing a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering with Honours, impressed the judges with their project titled “Fire-Retardant Paint.” Their innovation emerged among nearly 100 submissions from over 10 local and international higher education institutions, marking a remarkable achievement for UTM.
The team was guided by Dr. Mohd Haziq Dzulkifli, Senior Lecturer at FKM, who accompanied the students throughout the competition. According to him, the students’ dedication, curiosity, and teamwork were key factors behind their success. “They have shown not only technical understanding but also social awareness by addressing real-world problems faced by underprivileged communities,” he said.
The award-winning project was born out of a desire to help reduce fire-related damages, particularly in rural areas where traditional wooden houses remain common. “This project was inspired by rural communities who often lack awareness and access to fire safety measures,” explained team leader Azam Fahmi. “Most rural houses are made of wood, which is easily combustible. Our aim is that by using our product, the damages due to fire outbreaks in rural areas could be mitigated.”
Their prototype paint, developed using a cost-effective formulation, is designed to resist ignition and slow down the spread of flames, giving occupants more time to react in the event of a fire. Team member Muhammad Hafizuddin added that the group is currently refining the formulation to improve its thermal resistance and durability. “Winning silver motivates us to enhance our product further and explore potential collaborations for commercialization,” he shared.
The IUIC’25 serves as a platform to nurture innovative and research-oriented mindsets among undergraduates. This year’s edition carried the theme “Nurturing Youth Potential through Creative Innovation” and attracted participants from Higher Learning Institutions in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Japan. The event ran from 28 to 30 October 2025, coinciding with several academic activities, including Suara Cendekia 2025, SUTERA 2025, and the Hussein Digital Skills Competition 2025 (HDSC’25), all of which were held under the umbrella of the Hussein Innovation and Talent Symposium 2025 (HITS 2025).
The closing ceremony was officiated by Prof. Ts. Dr. Abdul Rasid Abdul Razzaq, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), who is currently serving as Acting Vice-Chancellor of UTHM. In his speech, he commended the participants for their creativity and perseverance, emphasizing that competitions like IUIC play a vital role in shaping future innovators and leaders.
