Southeast Asia’s brightest young scientists showcase innovations in Penang

The 13th Regional Congress of the Search for SEAMEO Young Scientists (SSYS) concluded with a resounding success, bringing together 315 young scientists from across Southeast Asia to Penang, Malaysia, from June 10 to 14, 2024. Organized by SEAMEO RECSAM, the congress showcased 101 innovative projects addressing pressing community issues such as respiratory disorders, food safety, and climate change.

With the theme “Youth for One Health through STEM Innovations,” the event highlighted the crucial role of young minds in advancing the One Health movement, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health for a sustainable future.

Highlighting Innovative Projects and Winners

The SSYS Congress saw participants from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Among the standout projects was the “Eye-Rin: Utilization Of Deep Learning Algorithms For Real-Time Camera Recognition of Persons With Zoonotic Disease Through Eye Images” by Justin A. Pacayra and teacher advisor Arnold Jr. Hipolito from Naga City Science High School, Philippines.

This project earned them the Most Promising Young Scientists award, accompanied by a cash prize of RM1800.00 and a seed grant of USD$4000.00, supported by CHEVRON through SEAOHUN. Their system, composed of a Haar cascade-based ED model and a customized VGG19 ZDI model, detects zoonotic disease infections in real-time, enabling rapid reporting and containment of potential outbreaks.

In addition to the main award, five other special awards were distributed, each accompanied by a cash prize of RM500.00 and a USD$1000.00 seed grant. These awards recognized projects for their benefits to the community, educational contribution, commercial potential, application of STEM concepts, and creativity/innovation. Among these, “Dermotect: An Assistive Dermoscopy Screening Device For Early Detection Of Selected Cancerous Skin Diseases And Their Severity Using Machine Learning Ensemble” from Bansud National High School, Philippines, stood out for its significant community benefits.

Nurturing Future Scientific Leaders

The congress not only celebrated the achievements of young scientists but also emphasized the importance of nurturing future leaders in STEM fields. Dr. Azman bin Jusoh, SEAMEO RECSAM Centre Director, commended the participants for their inquisitive and creative approaches to real-life challenges. He stressed the importance of incorporating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into scientific endeavors, promoting lifelong scientific values, and fostering regional friendships among young learners.

The event also saw participation from key figures such as Dr. M. Miandy Munusamy from the Ministry of Education Malaysia and Ms. Uzma Nawawi from Chevron Malaysia Limited, who reiterated their commitment to enhancing STEM education and empowering the future workforce.

The panel of judges, led by Chief Judge Dr. Pamela Anne Knight from Newcastle University Medicine in Malaysia, lauded the exceptional standard of entries. Projects were evaluated on criteria such as originality, scientific thought, research method, societal impact, and educational and commercial value. The high level of competition underscored the growing talent and potential among Southeast Asia’s youth to address complex global issues through innovative STEM solutions.

Looking ahead, the SSYS Congress continues to be a pivotal platform for young scientists in Southeast Asia, fostering a culture of research, innovation, and collaboration. The next congress, set for 2026, promises to build on this legacy, further engaging youth in the One Health movement for a healthier and brighter future.