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Turning Ideas into Intelligent Systems<\/p>\n\n\n\nKuala Lumpur, 24 October 2025 \u2014 The Great Innovation Challenge (GIC) 2025: Reengineering Plastic for Profit continued into its second day with a highly engaging session led by Dr. Muhammad Hisyam Rosle from the Centre for Artificial Intelligence & Robotics (CAIRO), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Held online via Zoom, the morning session titled \u201cIntroduction to Automation & AI for Process Monitoring\u201d provided participants with practical exposure to automation systems and lightweight AI applications that can be integrated into small-scale plastic recycling machines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Organised by CAIRO UTM in collaboration with Great Eastern Takaful Berhad (GETB), and IEEE KL Subsection, the workshop forms part of the Year 1 module in the GIC training framework \u2014 designed to build student capacity in sustainable design, digital prototyping, and environmental innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turning Ideas into Intelligent Systems<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the session, Dr. Hisyam introduced participants to the fundamentals of automation in recycling systems, including the use of sensors, actuators, and controllers for process optimisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He explained how lightweight AI features such as temperature monitoring, predictive maintenance, and automatic shutoff can enhance both efficiency and sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAutomation and AI should make the recycling process smarter, not more complex. The goal is to create machines that are affordable, energy-efficient, and reliable for community use,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Dr. Hisyam Rosle, Trainer & Senior Lecturer, CAIRO UTM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Teams were also guided through real-world examples of sensor integration, using platforms such as Arduino and Raspberry Pi to demonstrate how data can be collected and visualised through simple dashboards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Participants later took part in a group ideation activity, brainstorming practical automation features for their own project proposals \u2014 including automatic extrusion speed control and real-time heat monitoring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Innovation with Sustainability at Its Core<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The session reinforced the competition\u2019s emphasis on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By connecting automation to sustainability, students learned how digital monitoring could reduce energy consumption and waste while supporting circular economy goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Hisyam also reminded participants to focus on feasibility and scalability, ensuring that every design element could be realistically implemented within the given Year 2 prototype budget (RM8,000 per team).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Building the Next Generation of Green Engineers<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Participants from UTM, German-Malaysian Institute (GMI), and Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) actively shared ideas, receiving real-time feedback from the trainer and peers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The energy and enthusiasm reflected the challenge\u2019s mission \u2014 to empower Malaysia\u2019s young innovators to engineer practical, sustainable solutions to plastic waste management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As part of the two-day training module, this session marked a significant step towards preparing teams for the next phase: submitting their digital prototype designs and sustainability proposals in November 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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About the Great Innovation Challenge<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Great Innovation Challenge (GIC) 2025 is a two-year national innovation programme spearheaded by Great Eastern Takaful Berhad in collaboration with UTM CAIRO and IEEE KL Subsection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The initiative challenges students to redesign existing plastic recycling machines into smarter, portable, and eco-friendly systems that can transform waste into high-value products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The competition offers a total of RM77,000 in prizes and prototype funding, alongside mentorship, hands-on training, and exposure to real-world sustainability practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Stay Connected<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Follow CAIRO UTM on Facebook and Instagram for more updates, highlights, and innovation stories from the Great Innovation Challenge 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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cairo@utm.my<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\u260e\ufe0f\"](\"https:\/\/static.xx.fbcdn.net\/images\/emoji.php\/v9\/t22\/1\/16\/260e.png\")
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