JOHOR BAHRU, Dec 15 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), through its Faculty of Science successfully hosted the Southeast Asia Global Innovation Challenge (SEA-GIC 2025) competition, reaffirming its role as a platform for student-led innovation, interdisciplinary learning and purpose-driven science engagement.
SEA-GIC was held on 14 and 15 December 2025, convening participants across nation and region. This year’s theme, AI-Driven Chemistry for Planetary Health, reflects the growing need for chemistry-based and AI-enabled solutions to address global challenges such as climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
The program was anchored by Faculty of Science students from the ACS-UTM International Student Chapter, receiving strong support from American Chemical Society (ACS) Malaysia Chapter as the parent scientific society and was made possible through the Global International Grant awarded by the ACS Committee on International Activities.
Marking its 10th anniversary, SEA-GIC programme returned to Johor, where it was first launched at UTM in 2015, symbolising a decade of sustained commitment to nurturing young innovators among partner countries.
The closing ceremony was officiated by Assoc. Prof. Dr Shafinaz Shahir, Dean of the Faculty of Science, UTM, who highlighted the significance of SEA-GIC as more than a competition, describing it as a holistic learning ecosystem that integrates scientific excellence, innovation and ethical responsibility.
Also present at the closing ceremony were Dr. Suhaila Mohamad Yusuf, Director of the UTM Career Centre (UTMCC) representing the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni); ChM. Dr. Sheela Chandren, Secretary of the ACS Malaysia Chapter; and Assoc. Prof. ChM Dr. Joazaizulfazli Jamalis, Head of the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science UTM.
A key highlight of SEA-GIC 2025 was its strong student leadership, with the programme led by Apple Moo Le Yao and Pang Xue Yin, undergraduate students from the Faculty of Science, UTM, serving as Co-Directors.
Their leadership exemplifies the Faculty’s tagline, “Where Great Minds Are Nurtured”, by empowering students to lead complex international programmes while translating academic knowledge into real-world impact.
In line with its emphasis on holistic capability building, SEA-GIC 2025 also featured a dedicated science communication session conducted by UTM expert, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zaid Omar, which focused on strengthening participants’ ability to communicate complex scientific ideas clearly, ethically and persuasively to diverse audiences.
The session reinforced the programme’s objective of ensuring that innovative ideas are not only technically sound, but also accessible and impactful to society at large.
During the closing ceremony, the Dean further emphasised that SEA-GIC aligns closely with UTM’s Graduate Attributes framework, which aims to develop graduates who combine deep disciplinary knowledge with innovative talent, social intelligence, constructive citizenship and enterprising skills, grounded in the principle of Adab.
As part of the programme’s regional exposure, participants also took part in an educational visit to Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore, organised in collaboration with the ACS Singapore Chapter. The visit aims to broaden cross-border perspectives, strengthen international networks and enrich the overall learning experience beyond the competition setting.
Through the leadership of the Faculty of Science and the ACS-UTM International Student Chapter, SEA-GIC 2025 continues to position UTM as a hub for student-driven innovation, science excellence and values-based scientific engagement, contributing meaningfully to planetary health and sustainable development.
Prepared by Assoc. Prof. ChM. Dr. Mohd Bakri Bakar and Ts. ChM. Dr. Mohamad Shazwan Shah Jamil
