Sunway College JB’s “Team Supernova” Places Top 3 at Sustainability Startathon

Five talented students from the Sunway College Johor Bahru Diploma in Information Technology programme secured a top-three placement in the Malaysian Finals of the ASEAN-China-India Youth Leadership Summit (ACI YLS) 2023 Sustainability Startathon. The exceptional team, coined "Team Supernova," comprised final year students Tan Zhi Wei, Moo Keh Chuan Ethan, Ti Yee Qian, Yap Hui Shang and Yong Ray Yao. Their innovation led them to earn a place as five among the elite fifteen individual finalists from Malaysia.

The Malaysian Finals of the ACI YLS Sustainability Startathon, which took place on 24 September 2023, was held at Sunway University. The teams were required to pitch about developing a solution or platform that addresses one or more of the challenges related to sustainability, with a focus on Malaysia and Team Supernova chose to address Sustainable Development Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Their solution was to develop a nationwide platform to link the various players directly and indirectly involved in e-waste production and consumption with the service providers of e-waste collection through a mobile app and website called the “E-Waste Guardian”. Team Supernova faced tough competition, but their clearly thought-out presentation and solution secured them a coveted spot among the top teams.

This achievement offered the students an amazing opportunity and granted them a ticket to the Grand Finals held in Singapore from 29 October to 3 November 2023. There, the Malaysian finalists would meet country finalists from around the region who had also advanced to the ASEAN-China-India Youth Leadership Summit 2023 in Singapore. The guidance and support provided by IT lecturers, Ms Rebecca Chin and Mr Wilson Low had paid off in a big way.

Team Supernova would represent Malaysia in the Grand Finals of the Sustainability Startathon, a prestigious event that brought together winning teams from various countries in the region. This extravaganza of Sustainability and Youth was organised by OSG Youth Alliance, and co-organised by Resolute Communications. The summit aimed to provide an immersive and collaborative experience, uniting passionate young minds from Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar and India. Participants had the opportunity to work with peers from diverse backgrounds and nations, fostering a global perspective on sustainability and addressing the challenges of our time.

The success of Team Supernova serves as an inspiration to the entire college community and further solidifies our commitment to nurturing bright young minds.