Innovative minds impress judges in Thailand

Part of the 400-person delegation from MINDS that won 26 gold, 59 silver, 25 bronze medals and special awards at IPITEx 2024.

INVENTORS from Malaysian Invention and Design Society (MINDS) made the country proud when they won several awards at the International Intellectual Property, Invention, Innovation and Technology Exposition 2024 (IPITEx 2024) in Bangkok, Thailand.

The delegation of 400 inventors received 26 gold, 59 silver and 25 bronze medals as well as more than 10 special awards presented by Poland, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Egypt and Japan, at the exhibition also known as “Thailand Inventors’ Day 2024”.

MINDS head of delegation Prof Dr Leong Wai Yie said Malaysia’s inventions impressed international judges and visitors.

The exhibition, to promote and support the use of inventions and innovations of international inventors and researchers, was organised by National Research Council of Thailand under its ministry of higher education, science and research.

The inventions and innovations are categorised under eight themes: health, industry, agriculture, energy and environment, construction and building, education, information technology, and manufacturing.

Prof Leong (second from left) celebrating Malaysia’s success in Bangkok with other delegates.

More than 1,000 inventions from over 25 countries were exhibited.

The face-to-face innovation competition also saw the participation of 35 students from SMK St Michael Penampang, Sabah, led by principal Jennifer Asing, alongside teachers Mariatul Hanis, Cyprian Rian Jokinol and Diana Michelle William Sibungkil.

Their inventions included Blusa Tanin Ball made from organic materials like ketapang leaves, rice bran, blue salt and mealworms, which acts as an effective water treatment for fish.

Their other inventions such as NERO, BCP Tropical Liquid Fertiliser, Energy Producing Road, Wavely, BotanIQ Oil, Inkiflux – Turning Pollution into Poetry and BekACH were also well received.

Meanwhile, Fadzil Yaakob from the Terengganu Health Department won the Diploma Haller Pro Inventio Foundation (special award) from Poland, for his invention which uses Intelligent Modification Clamp to look into food safety and public health.

MINDS president academician Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Augustine SH Ong said the society was the largest body in Malaysia representing individuals, universities and companies who pursue excellence in invention, creativity, innovation, research and development, and industrial design.