4 Sarikei students to represent Sarawak at Technovation Girls World Summit in US

Dr Annuar (fourth left) with Team Agape and other dignitaries pose for a group photo at the flag-off ceremony held at SMK Tinggi, Sarikei recently.

By DayakDaily Team

SARIKEI, July 23: The Sarawak Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) is proudly sending off Team Agape, four talented students from Sarikei, to the prestigious Technovation Girls World Summit in the United States this October.

The ministry announced today that the fully-funded trip, courtesy of the US-based non-profit organisation Technovation Girls, marks a significant milestone for Eunice Law, Irene Ngu, Jaynee Loo, and Christine Wong.

They have secured their spot among the top five global finalists in the senior category for Technovation Girls 2024.

While the final details of their trip are being arranged by the global team in the US, these young innovators will have the unique opportunity to network with other global finalists, gain inspiration from leading women in the tech industry, and present their groundbreaking project on an international stage.

Competing with teams from England, Chile, the USA and Canada, Team Agape proudly represents the Asia region.

Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapa’ee was present to officiate the flag-off ceremony held at SMK Tinggi, coincided with the launch of the Girlscode Mobile App Challenge 2024, recently.

Also present were Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) general manager of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Hazwan Razak; Sarikei Education District Office director Lau Ngie Tung; SMK Tinggi principal Wong Ling Jiong; SMK St. Anthony principal Liong Shou Chuan; and Technovation Girls Malaysia Chapter Ambassador Teo Yuang Teck.

Team Agape’s AI (artificial intelligence) mobile app, designed to detect and assist with coordination challenges faced by special needs children in Malaysia, has garnered significant attention.

The app offers customised learning solutions with interactive features to address individual learning difficulties.

Its ‘Talk’ feature enables speech-challenged individuals to communicate through symbols and text, promoting inclusivity.

Additionally, the app includes interactive sensory elements like voice calculators and games, enhancing the educational experience and providing hope for every child’s success within the school curriculum.

Their achievement, from among 3,200 tech-based projects submitted globally from 62 countries, highlights their outstanding talent and dedication.

Their journey began at the national level Technovation Girls competition, Girlscode, where they won the champion award in Malaysia.

They then refined their project for the international stage, culminating in their finalist announcement during the Technovation 2024 global virtual celebration ceremony last week. — DayakDaily