SUCCESS FOR BUDDING INVENTORS

EXPLAINING..... Students of SMK Bandaraya explaining their creation to Dr. Yee Moh Chai and Sabah Education Department Director Dr, Muhiddin Yusin. SMK Bandaraya emerged as a big winner at SINDEX, taking home the coveted Chief Minister's Award, the Sekolah Cemerlang Award in the Rural Division, the People's Choice Award and a Gold Medal.

By : ELAINE MAH

The Sabah Invention and Design Exhibition (SINDEX) was started in 1998 to tap into new talents of the younger generation in Sabah. 2012 marks the 7th time SINDEX has been held, and it boasts the biggest response to date.

Held at UMS on the 7th and 8th September 2012 the two-day competition attracted 480 entries from across the state, twice the number of entries received at SINDEX 2010 and 2007.

The SINDEX program is an initiative of the state government to provide an avenue for students to invent, innovate and turn what they learn in school to practical applications in a creative way. Since its inception the idea has caught the imagination of the Rotary Club and various other bodies that share the government's goal.

To keep the momentum going the state government has contributed RM130,000 out of the RM242,000 that the organizing committee has collected for the event this year.

"This program is the best platform to source new talents in order to create an innovative society that will propel transformation in Sabah," said Chief Minister Musa Aman, whose speech was read by his representative at the closing ceremony, Dr. Yee Moh Chai, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Resource Development and Information Technology.

Also present at the closing of Sindex 2012 was Dr. Haji Muhiddin Yusin, Sabah's Director of Education. He was elated by the large number of participants in this year's competition, particularly from the rural schools.

"SINDEX is significant and relevant in bridging the gap in science, information technology and communication between urban and rural schools", he said.

The judging committee of 20, comprising academics and professionals from various industries, including representatives of SIRIM, awarded 51 Bronze, 25 Silver and 7 Gold medals to the winning entries at the closing ceremony.

The inventions and innovations came under various categories, namely General Technology and Engineering, Chemical Category and Office and Education Category.

Students from SMK Bandaraya won the coveted Chief Minister's Award with their "X-Ants Magic", a form of ant repellent that they claim to be 100% natural. (Insight Sabah)