Students win global award with VIA Safe Mobility

TotalEnergies Malaysia, in partnership with Arus Academy, introduced the VIA Safe Mobility programme to empower young Malaysians to create safer roads.

This initiative, launched in 2022, integrates interactive digital resources to teach road safety through the Ministry of Education’s DELiMA platform.

Road safety is a growing concern in Malaysia, with over 532,000 road accidents recorded between January and October 2024, including 5,364 fatalities.

Innovative solutions tackle local challenges

The Primary 6 students—guided by teacher mentor Chan Hui Lee and supported by teachers Lee Hooi Ching and Phang Poh Choo—identified persistent issues such as traffic congestion and pedestrian safety outside their school.

“Traffic conditions around our school are a daily challenge,” said Principal Leong Sook Luan. “This programme empowered our students to take meaningful action.”

This year, students from SJK(C) Kwang Hwa, Sungai Nibong, Penang, took the programme’s impact to new heights.

They developed solutions addressing school traffic concerns, earning a EUR 5,000 grant as national winners.

Their efforts also secured them the title of regional champions in a competition featuring teams from Angola, Brazil, and Lebanon.

Among their proposed solutions were:

• Installing an automatic barrier gate to regulate traffic.
• Painting a high-visibility orange zone before pedestrian crossings to alert drivers.
• Erecting a warning sign reading “AWAS Palang Automatik” (Caution: Automatic Barrier).

These measures aim to slow traffic and improve safety for pedestrians in the school zone.

To bring their ideas to life, the students collaborated with local stakeholders, including the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Bike Commute Malaysia, gaining crucial insights and approvals.

Kumaresan Arumugam, ADUN Batu Uban, commended their efforts, providing guidance on aligning their solutions with local infrastructure policies.

VIA Safe Mobility for safer community

The students’ dedication earned them recognition on an international stage, where they competed in the VIA Safe Mobility global finals.

Presenting their ideas alongside teams from six countries, they highlighted the power of youth-driven innovation in solving real-world problems.

With the EUR 5,000 grant, the students plan to implement their proposals, creating a safer environment for their school and the surrounding community.

Arus Academy CEO Alina Amir noted, “The solutions proposed by the students show how young minds, when given the right tools and guidance, can address real-world problems creatively and effectively.”

The VIA Safe Mobility programme exemplifies how education and collaboration can address pressing societal challenges.

By empowering students to lead, TotalEnergies Malaysia and Arus Academy have laid the foundation for safer roads and a culture of community-driven action.

Jennifer Li, Managing Director of TotalEnergies Marketing Malaysia, said, “Road safety is central to TotalEnergies’ commitment to the communities we serve.

Creating safer roads begins with youth education and empowerment.”

Jennifer Li summed it up: “Together, we hope to build a future where our roads are safer for everyone.