TEY 2025 champion, SMK Khir Johari, receiving the prize of RM30,000 from Ravindran (fourth from right).
A COMPETITION focused on youth-led innovation has crowned its winners in a programme showcasing environmental action at the grassroots level.
Toyota Eco Youth (TEY) 2025 concluded its 24th edition with cash prizes totalling RM77,000 awarded to top school teams addressing critical issues such as urban flooding, textile waste, food waste and air pollution.
The two-day finale at a hotel in Klang, Selangor, featured an exhibition with 15 finalist teams presenting their projects, each evaluated for creativity, community impact and long-term sustainability.
The TEY 2025 champion’s trophy and RM30,000 cash prize went to SMK Khir Johari in Kedah for its food waste management initiative.
Second place, with a RM20,000 prize, was awarded to SMK Mohd Khalid, Johor, for its e-waste reduction project.
Third place, with a RM10,000 prize, went to Kolej Sultan Abdul Hamid (KSAH), Kedah, for its waste disposal control solution.
The 24th edition of TEY concluded with 15 finalist teams showcasing impactful sustainability projects tackling issues such as food waste, e-waste, air pollution and urban flooding.
Additional awards included Most Supportive Teacher: Sandra Gesan Balakrishnan (SMK Khir Johari); Best Presentation (SMK Mohd Khalid); Best Social Media Campaign (KSAH); and Best Exhibition (SMK Kota Kemuning, Selangor), for its drainage system improvement project.
According to UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT), TEY remains Malaysia’s longest running environmental education initiative, continuing to nurture young changemakers who are driving sustainable transformation within their schools and communities.
“Witnessing the 2025 participants apply structured problem-solving to deliver tangible, community-driven environmental change is truly inspiring,” said UMWT president Datuk K. Ravindran.
“These young individuals have moved beyond awareness into action, demonstrating leadership, resilience and innovation in overcoming real-world issues.
“They represent the spirit of ‘Mobility for All’ by showing how progress can move communities forward towards a greener and more sustainable future,” he added.
Applauding TEY 2025 finalists.
Launched in March 2025, this year’s programme expanded to 30 schools nationwide and increased its total investment to RM167,000 in grants and prizes.
Students were trained to apply Toyota’s Eight-Step Problem-Solving Methodology, guiding them from problem identification and root cause analysis, to project implementation and impact measurement.
Throughout the programme, participants demonstrated creativity, discipline and empathy as they addressed pressing environmental issues and engaged their local communities to create measurable, lasting impact.
TEY continues to reflect UMWT’s long-standing belief that progress extends beyond mobility technology to include empowering people and communities to move forward with purpose.
To explore the journey of TEY 2025 and how Malaysian youth are steering their communities towards sustainability and driving positive environmental change, visit www.toyota.com.my/toyotaecoyouth
Gallery
SMK Mohd Khalid wins for Best Presentation.
Kolej Sultan Abdul Hamid, Best Social Media Campaign.
Best Exhibition winner, SMK Kota Kemuning.
MUST USE The Most Supportive Teacher award went to Sandra Gesan Balakrishanan (second from left).
SANDRA GESAN A/L BALAKRISHNAN (second from left) from SMK KHIR JOHARI, KEDAH receiving his Most Supportive Teacher of TEY 2025 award.
