By UOW Malaysia 

On 22 August 2026, the Department of Built Environment (DOBE) at UOW Malaysia KDU Penang University College celebrated a remarkable achievement as students mentored through the DigiTech 2025/2026 Program excelled at the APEX Bootcamp 2026 Final Project Showcase. The event, which brought together more than 400 students from 39 secondary schools across Penang, showcased the creativity, innovation and problem-solving capabilities of the next generation of young designers and changemakers.

Developed as a collaborative micro-credential initiative between UOW Malaysia, Equator and Penang secondary schools, the DigiTech Program introduced Form 4 and Form 5 students to the fundamentals of spatial design, digital technology and creative problem-solving. Over 21 weeks from June to July 2026, participants explored design thinking, visual communication, spatial planning, 2D and 3D conceptual development, and presentation skills through a series of hands-on learning experiences.

The program’s impact was evident in the impressive achievements of the teams guided by DOBE academics. Among 21 finalist teams, five teams mentored by UOWM KDU Penang lecturers secured places in the Top 10. Team Snow White from SMK Bayan Lepas, mentored by Ms Aimi Zahirah binti Zulkarnain (Lecturer, DOBE), achieved an exceptional second place, while Team Konnichiwa from the same school secured sixth place. Team EcoPenang Transit from SMK Mutiara Impian, under the guidance of Ms Fazlin binti Awaludin (Lecturer, DOBE), earned fourth place. Meanwhile, teams from SMK Valdor, mentored by Ts. Vanessa Serbastian (Head of Department, DOBE), placed seventh and tenth respectively.

Beyond mentorship, DOBE actively contributed to the success of the event, with Ms Ghuhapriya a/p Muthu Kumar (Lecturer, DOBE) serving as an official judge for the competition. Her participation reflected the department’s standing as a trusted contributor to educational and design excellence within the wider community.

The significance of the initiative was further highlighted by the presence of Penang Chief Minister YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow, who initiated the program and presented awards to the winning teams at the final showcase.

Through programs such as DigiTech, UOW Malaysia continues to extend learning beyond the classroom, empowering young learners with future-ready skills while fostering creativity, innovation and sustainable thinking. The success of the APEX Bootcamp participants stands as a testament to the University’s dedication to inspiring the next generation of designers, problem-solvers and changemakers.