Tan Ming Qi (right) and Lee Shao Xuan (left) received their RM3000 mock-cheque from Prof UCSI Group CEO and UCSI University vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir (centre), who was accompanied by the main sponsor of the Student Life Hacks TikTok Innovation Challenge, Blackmores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd education and training manager Emely Chai.
WHEN students Lee Shao Xuan and Tan Ming Qi learnt that poor posture resulted in their friend suffering a gymnastics injury, the duo knew they had to do something to help other exercise enthusiasts like her.
The 18-year-olds immediately set to work, designing a device that analyses and corrects one’s posture during workouts.
“We both love science and we worked on this device because our friend Cheng Xin injured her knee during gymnastics training due to postural problems.
“We tested the device with our friends. They found it useful when they were reminded to correct their postures,” said Shao Xuan.Their device, dubbed “sports steward”, won them first prize at the Student Life Hacks TikTok Innovation Challenge, organised by UCSI University in partnership with the Education Ministry.
The competition required contestants to come up with innovations to solve real-world problems, upload a video of their innovations, and explain their game-changing potential.
For their efforts, Shao Xuan and Ming Qi received RM3,000 in cash and a full tuition waiver to continue their studies at UCSI.
During the prize-giving ceremony on June 29, National STEM Association president and founder Prof Datuk Dr Noraini Idris said that the competition was an ideal way to generate interest in STEM-related studies.
“STEM is the engine of growth for innovation and future generations must master it to excel in critical industry sectors,” said Prof Noraini, who is also an honorary professor and advisor of the Universiti Malaya STEM Centre.
“By focusing on innovation, UCSI has instilled interest in STEM and I look forward to seeing more efforts like this.”
She added that the National STEM Association had set up a STEM Mini Theatre project for B40 students to ensure no one would be left behind.
