The highly anticipated annual “DIY Made Simple” competition is back for its ninth edition, calling on secondary schools across Malaysia to unleash their creativity in solving real-world sustainability challenges. With the theme “Waste to Energy: Innovate for a Greener Future,” this competition aims to inspire the next generation of environmental leaders and innovators to explore ways to convert waste into valuable energy sources.
This year’s theme encourages students to think critically about the waste management crisis faced by Malaysia and the potential of waste-to-energy (WTE) solutions. As the country grapples with an increasing volume of solid waste, the WTE approach offers an environmentally-friendly solution that not only reduces pressure on landfills but also contributes to sustainable energy production. This initiative aligns with Malaysia’s national environmental policies and the ambitious target of achieving a 40% recycling rate by 2025.
Examples of exciting and impactful innovations under this theme include:
- Solar panels made from e-waste
- Electric generators powered by plastic waste
- LED lights fueled by bio-batteries
- Mini turbines generating power from wastewater
- Batteries constructed from metal waste
- Hydrogen production through wastewater treatment
These projects reflect the potential for secondary school students to create tangible solutions that contribute to a greener, more sustainable future, all while enhancing their problem-solving and creative skills.
The competition offers fantastic rewards for the winners. The championship team will walk away with a cash prize of RM4,000, followed by RM3,000 for second place, RM2,000 for third, RM1,000 for fourth, and RM500 for fifth. All finalists will receive RM300 in MR D.I.Y. cash vouchers, a digital certificate, and a trophy. Additionally, special awards of RM500 in cash will be given to the teams whose competition videos receive the most likes on YouTube.
Schools eager to take part in the competition must submit their entries by 8 May 2025. A panel of esteemed judges from Universiti Malaya (UM), Yayasan MR D.I.Y., and the Ministry of Education (MOE) will evaluate the submissions and shortlist 16 schools. These selected schools will then collaborate with faculty members from UM’s Faculty of Built Environment to bring their ideas to life and present them at the final judging event in August, which will be held at Universiti Malaya.
The “DIY Made Simple” competition is a collaboration between Yayasan MR D.I.Y., the corporate social responsibility arm of MR D.I.Y. Group (M) Bhd, Universiti Malaya’s Community Engagement Centre (UMCares) and Faculty of Built Environment, and the Ministry of Education’s Sports, Co-Curriculum, and Arts Division. This initiative not only fosters innovation but also empowers students to contribute to the nation’s green energy future.
Schools can register for the competition by visiting the official registration page at here. For more information, visit MR D.I.Y.’s website or follow their social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
This year, let’s see how young minds can innovate for a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable world!
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