NINE-year-old Lee Yumi won top prize for her “OnBoard: School Bus System”, securing RM20,000 to bring her idea to life at the conclusion of the Goodday KidSTART 2.0 programme.
The programme, sponsored by Education Ministry and Alliance Bank, was to empower the next generation with financial literacy and entrepreneurial prowess.
From the top 20 finalists, nine winners emerged, each excelling in various categories such as rising star, most innovative, sustainable and best presenters.
Yumi, from Global Oak Tree Scholar International School, thanked her parents and Goodday Milk for the opportunity.
Her idea to create the application arose after often getting stuck in traffic congestion on the way to school.
“This application was also created to encourage students to use the school bus service as it could help reduce traffic congestion issues,” she added.
Yumi’s mother Grape Foong said she was happy with her daughter’s achievement.
“I think this programme is amazing as the kids get to showcase their ideas, build up their confidence and be motivated to be even better in the future to solve problems around them,” she said.
Second place was awarded to Muhammad Basyeer, 12, for “The Academy of Future: Peer to Peer Learning Coding & Robotics”, and third place to Lim Zhi Fung, nine, for the ‘MindACT: ACTor Programme’.
Alea Dalil, 12, was awarded for Most Innovative Idea and Olivia Leong, 11, for the Most Sustainable Idea.
In addition, the best presenter awards were won by Kaviesha Abishri Shathya Kugan, 12, and Chong Ruyi, 10.
Meanwhile, the Rising Star award was won by Elsa Khaw Wen Qing, nine.
Out of 141 schools participating, SJK (C) Puay Chai won the award for schools with highest participants, with an impressive 478 entries with three students shortlisted in the top 20.
Also present were Etika Group marketing vice-president Amy Gan and Alliance Bank’s Group chief strategy, marketing and business development officer Dr Aaron Sum.
“We launched KidSTART to provide a platform for young entrepreneurs to showcase their ingenuity,” said Gan.
“This year, we expanded our reach with the support of Education Ministry and our sponsors, breaking last year’s record of 300 to over 4,000 participants now,” she added.
Etika, which distributes the Goodday brand of products, is the programme organiser.
Sum said entrepreneurship was a key path for today’s youth.
“This programme nurtures and prepares the next generation to become savvy business leaders, aligning with our strategy of supporting aspiring businesses,” he said.
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