KUALA LUMPUR: Primary school SK Convert Father Barre from Kedah and secondary school SMK Syed Sirajuddin from Perlis emerged champions of the Junior Innovathon 2025 tonight, triumphing over a field of young innovators in the programme’s grand finale at Angkasapuri Kota Media.
Both schools took home RM40,000 in cash and an iPad each after impressing judges with their innovation projects.
The runner-up spots went to SK Seri Indera and KV Pasir Gudang, who each received RM22,000 and an iPad, while SK Padang Mengkuang, Terengganu, and SMK Taman Jasmin 2, Selangor, finished third, earning RM15,000 and an iPad.
Prizes were presented by Second Finance Minister and acting Economy Minister Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.
Meanwhile, the fourth-place winners were SK Seri Negeri Langkawi, Kedah, and KV Ampangan, Seremban, that received RM11,000 per school.
The fifth-place winners were SK Methodist Parit Buntar and SMK Section 10, Kota Damansara, who walked away with RM8,000 per school.
In addition, SK Methodist Parit Buntar and Kolej Vokasional Pasir Gudang were named winners of the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) Best Presentation Award, each receiving RM2,500.
Junior Innovathon, an innovation reality programme aimed at nurturing young talent, features contestants from primary schools, secondary schools, vocational colleges, Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM), and private schools.
The initiative is led by the Economy Ministry in collaboration with the Communications Ministry, Education Ministry, and the Rural and Regional Development Ministry.
This year’s competition attracted a strong response, with 2,107 submissions received during the online registration period from July 3 to Aug 8.
Following screening, 533 entries progressed to nationwide auditions held across 14 locations from Sept 2 to 12.
From there, 50 standout projects, 25 each from primary and secondary schools, advanced to the semifinals, which were featured over five episodes filmed at Angkasapuri Kota Media.
Participants also received presentation coaching from Datin Marlia Musa to refine their delivery ahead of the finale.
The programme was hosted by Aliff Satar, with Sangeetha Krishnasamy anchoring the backstage segments.
Also present were Economy Ministry secretary-general Datuk Nor Azmie Diron and deputy secretary-general (Macro) Datuk TV. Valluven Veloo; Communications Ministry deputy secretary-general (Telecommunications Infrastructure) Mano Verabathran, Education Ministry deputy director-general (School Operations Sector) Zainal Abas, and IPSB Technology managing director Mardhiah Nasir.
Junior Innovathon was also aired live on TV1 and RTMKlik at 9pm.
Its earlier episodes garnered more than one million views across RTM platforms, while tonight’s 90-minute finale marked the highlight of the 2025 season.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
