UTM SECVH students secure 2nd place and Best Audio Award

Dr. Fazliaty Edora Fadzli

📝 Summary

Students from UTM’s SECVH programme won 2nd place and the Best Audio Award at the KL20 Game Jam, a 36-hour hackathon that tested their technical and creative skills. The team of students and CGMA members demonstrated their ability to work under pressure and develop practical solutions within a limited time. Their achievement showcases the practical application of UTM’s academic curriculum and prepares them for Malaysia’s growing digital content and game development industry.

ISKANDAR PUTERI, Sep 29 – Students from the Bachelor of Computer Science in Graphics and Multimedia Software with Honours (SECVH) programme at the Faculty of Computing, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), have proudly claimed 2nd Place and the Best Audio Award at the KL20 Game Jam.

The collaborative team, comprising SECVH students and members of the Computer Graphics and Multimedia Association (CGMA), Ariana Arissa, Nur Zulaikha, Kaylyn Ng Jin Qing and Nurul Nasrahtul Balqis, demonstrated technical and creative skills to secure the two awards against aspiring developers from across the region.

The triumphant UTM SECVH team receives their awards from the Minister of Economy, Hj. Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir (4th from left), proudly accompanied on stage by their mentor, Dr. Fazliaty Edora Fadzli (3rd from left)

Held from 27 to 29 September 2026 at Iskandar Malaysia Studios, the KL20 Game Jam was a fast-paced, 36-hour overnight hackathon. Co-hosted by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) Malaysia, the intensive game development marathon served as a core track of the broader KL20 @ Johor creative summit. The initiative aims to connect creative talent and capital within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), fostering an environment for regional digital innovation.

During the event, participants were tasked with conceptualizing, designing, and programming a playable game prototype based on a surprise theme announced on the first day. The 36-hour constraint required rapid problem-solving, effective teamwork and technical adaptability. Performing well across judging metrics that evaluated gameplay, creativity, art direction and thematic interpretation, the UTM team secured the RM1,500 runner-up cash prize. Furthermore, the team earned the standalone Best Audio Award and an accompanying RM100 prize. Creating and integrating cohesive soundscapes into a game engine within such a tight timeframe is a demanding task, and this recognition reflects the students’ practical grasp of multimedia production, skills actively developed through UTM’s academic curriculum.

The UTM SECVH team receives a morale boost from their mentor and fellow seniors during the 36-hour hackathon

The students’ progress was supported by their mentor, Dr Fazliaty Edora Fadzli, who provided guidance throughout the fast-paced event. Visits from fellow SECVH seniors also offered a morale boost, reflecting the strong sense of peer community within CGMA.

Ultimately, this achievement demonstrates the practical application of the Faculty of Computing’s programmes. By successfully testing their skills in a high-pressure, real-world setting, the team has shown they are well-equipped to step into Malaysia’s growing digital content and game development industry. The achievement also highlights the students’ ability to apply their technical and creative training in a competitive industry environment.

It further reflects the value of hands-on learning in preparing students to respond to industry challenges, work collaboratively under pressure and develop practical solutions within limited time. The experience provided the students with an opportunity to test their capabilities beyond the classroom.