PENANG – Sarawak has reaffirmed its position as a frontrunner in nurturing digital talent, securing all three top spots at the Junior Innovate 2025 National Finals, held during the Penang International Science Festival (PISF).
The competition, themed “Game for Change: Peace and Justice” in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 16, challenged students to design digital games that combined technical programming skills with values of empathy, fairness and community-building.
The winning team, KJ Sparkle Sisters from SJK(C) Chung Hua Krokop, Miri, claimed the championship title.
They were followed by Soprano from SJK(C) Chung Hua No.4, Kuching, as first runner-up, while Justice League, also from SJK(C) Chung Hua Krokop, secured second runner-up.
The national finals marked the culmination of a six-month programme beginning in May, which included Train-the-Trainer workshops, Maker Fair exhibitions, online webinars and continuous mentoring via the Chumbaka learning platform.
These initiatives equipped students with skills in Scratch and Python, while also introducing elements of artificial intelligence (AI) into their projects.
Syukri Arabi, Senior Manager at TEGAS and a national judge, praised the achievement, noting that Sarawakian students had demonstrated both technical expertise and the ability to convey meaningful ideas.
“Seeing Sarawakian students achieve success on the national stage is very proud. Their projects not only demonstrate technical skills, but also empathy and the ability to convey meaningful ideas,” he said.
Mentor teacher Cikgu Kong Siong Bing from SJK(C) Chung Hua Krokop highlighted the broader impact of the competition on student development.
“We are very grateful to MEITD, SDEC and Chumbaka for this platform. Seeing our students grow in terms of self-confidence, cooperation and leadership is a real reward for us as educators,” he explained.
The Junior Innovate initiative is closely aligned with Sarawak’s Post-COVID Development Strategy (PCDS) and Digital Agenda, both of which aim to expand digital literacy and strengthen the state’s talent ecosystem.
Backed by the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) and Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), schools across the state have gained access to technology hubs and learning centres designed to foster 21st-century skills.
Organisers emphasised that beyond podium finishes, the competition’s true legacy lies in shaping a generation of Sarawakian students who are not only proficient in STEM, game design and AI, but also equipped with soft skills such as leadership, collaboration and social responsibility.
The Penang International Science Festival, where the finals were staged, featured a wide range of exhibitions, workshops and competitions aimed at inspiring innovation among young Malaysians.
Junior Innovate stood out as a platform that showcased how creativity and technology can be harnessed to address social challenges while preparing students for future careers.
With Sarawak sweeping the podium, the state has once again demonstrated its commitment to building a digitally skilled youth population capable of contributing to both local and national progress.
