2 July 2025 - His Royal Highness Prince (Dr.) Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince, Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, the Pro-Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) and Patron of The Crown Prince Creative, Innovative Product and Technological Advancement (CIPTA) Award, consented to grace the Crown Prince CIPTA Award 2025 Ceremony held at the Plenary Hall, International Convention Centre (ICC), Brunei Darussalam.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was greeted upon arrival by Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid, Minister of Development and Deputy Chair of UTB Council; Yang Mulia Datin Paduka Professor Dr. Dayang Hajah Zohrah binti Haji Sulaiman, Vice-Chancellor of UTB; and Yang Mulia Mr. Adeleye Falade, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Brunei LNG Sendirian Berhad.
Also in attendance were UTB Council Members; Yang Berhormat Datin Seri Paduka Dayang Hajah Norhasimah binti Haji Mohamad Taib, Attorney General; Yang Mulia Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Mohammad Azmi bin Haji Mohd Hanifah, Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (Energy).
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat by Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar.
The Executive Committee Chairperson of CIPTA 2025, Yang Mulia Datin Paduka Professor Dr Dayang Hajah Zohrah binti Hj Sulaiman, Vice-Chancellor of UTB, then delivered her welcoming speech. In her remarks, she acknowledged that CIPTA 2025 has successfully achieved the aims and objectives of the competition, particularly in advancing innovation, encouraging research driven ideas, and nurturing a spirit of creativity among participants. However, she also highlighted the importance of progressing beyond conceptual excellence.
She emphasised the importance of rethinking strategies moving forward to enhance the commercialisation potential of the innovations presented.She noted that while the competition showcased promising inventions and solutions, there is still room to unlock greater value that can be translated into tangible, high-impact outcomes in the real world.
This was followed by a multimedia presentation showcasing the journey, achievements, and milestones of the Crown Prince CIPTA Award over the past two decades
Subsequently, Yang Mulia Pengiran Dr Rafidah binti Pengiran Haji Petra, Head of the Technical Committee presented a summary of the overall appraisal from the CIPTA 2025 Judges Team Leads followed by the announcement of the winning projects.
CIPTA 2025 introduced a new recognition category with the establishment of the Special Award for Sustainable Energy, highlighting the competition's commitment to environmental innovation and green technology solutions. This prestigious award recognises outstanding projects that demonstrate exceptional innovation in sustainable energy applications, renewable technologies, or energy efficiency solutions. Winning teams in all the categories are additionally honoured with medals, commemorative trophies, and certificates of achievement on top of winning cash prizes.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, who is also the Patron of the competition consented to present cash prizes, trophies, medals and certificates to the winners for the Local Categories, Smart Junior Competition, and ASEAN Categories.
A remarkable achievement was recognised at CIPTA 2025, with one innovation receiving the prestigious Grand Prize of the Crown Prince Special Award 2025. The winning innovation entitled, “Novel Filter-Less Single-Source Extendable Switched-Capacitor Boost Multilevel Inverter Suitable for Renewable and Industrial Applications”. The team members were Dr. Law Kah Haw and Mohammad Asri bin Puasa, both from UTB. The selection of the Grand Prize Winner underwent a rigorous and comprehensive evaluation process by the expertise panel of both international and local judges. His Royal Highness consented to present the Grand Prize trophy, along with cash prize and certificate, to the Crown Prince Special CIPTA Award of the 2025 competition and the Special Award for Sustainable Energy. CIPTA 2025 highlights a historic achievement, this event marked the second time for an innovation to receive the prestigous Grand Prize of the Crown Prince Special Award Trophy. It was exactly 10 years ago in 2015 that the first innovation received the prestigous Grand Prize of the Crown Prince Special Award Trophy.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince later consented to receive a Pesambah from the Organising Committee of CIPTA 2025, presented by Yang Mulia Farah Zakiah binti Dato Paduka Sa Bali, a first-year student of Architecture Programme from the School of Design who designed the royal gift along with her peers.
The winners of CIPTA 2025 were announced as follows:
Local Category 1 - Creating New Product, Process or Technology
3rd Place Winner: “Halal Green Military Ration Innovation for Brunei”, by Fatin Nuratikah Binti Haji Asbi, and Zu Mirratin Munira Binti Haji Mohammad Affno, both from UTB. They received cash prize, bronze medals, certificates and a trophy.
1st Special Mention: “Innovation in the Development of Electric Boats in Sustaining the Quality of Kampong Ayer’s Ecosystem as a Tourism Attraction”, by Nurulfa'izzah Asdiana binti Haji Mohd Hashim, Muhammad Sufyan bin Abdullah and Dr Nik Mohd Ridzuan bin Shahruddin. Supervised by Prof Dr Haji Abdul Hafidz bin Haji Omar, from Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA). They received cash prize, bronze medals, ceritificatesand a special mention and won the Special Award for Sustainable Energy for Local Category 1.
2nd Special Mention: “Organic Solar Cells Fabricated Using Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) Printing for Sustainable Energy Solutions”, by Mohammad Zulfikre Bin Esa. Supervised by Dr Malik Muhammad Nauman, from Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD). They received cash prize and a certificate.
The 1st and 2nd place awards were not conferred in this category.
Local Category 2 - Modifying Existing Product, Process or Technology
1st Place Winner: “Novel Filter-Less Single-Source Extendable Switched-Capacitor Boost Multilevel Inverter Suitable for Renewable and Industrial Applications”, by Dr Law Kah Haw and Mohammad Asri bin Puasa, from UTB. They received gold medals, a trophy, certificates, the Special Award for Sustainable Energy for Local Category 2, and was awarded the prestigous trophy The Crown Prince Special Award.
2nd Place Winner: “Skyv-AI (Next Generation Anamolies Detection; Corrosion Detection)”, by Mohd Khairul Hazmi bin Haji Munir, Mohammad Adi Shahinan bin Sulaiman and Muhammad Zami bin Hashim, from Skyvision BN. They received cash prize, gold medals, a trophy andcertificates.
3rd Place Winner: “Development of Organic Foliar Spray Formulation for Enhanced Crop Growth and Yield”, by Dr Hartini Haji Mohd Yasin, D. Tan Ai Ling and Nurul Syazana binti Haji Affandi, from UBD. They received cash prize, gold medals, a trophy and certificates.
1st Special Mention: “AIquatic AquaFeeder”, by Dr Lim Tiong Hoo, from UTB. He received cash prize, a gold medal and a certificate.
2nd Special Mention: “Intumescent Material from Plant-Based Carbon and Silica Sources for Flame-Retardant Layering”, by Nur Faakhirah Binti Haji Ahmadbi and supervised by Dr. Denni Kurniawan, from UTB. They received cash prize, a silver medal and a certificate.
Local Category 3 - Creating New or Modifying Existing Product, Process or Technology, by Young Inventors
1st Place Winner: “Earth Battery: Sustainable Harvest”, by Lee Jing Jing, Fong Chee Shane and Muhammad Faiq bin Fakhrul Anwar. Supervised by Marlina Binti Awang Haji Md Said, from Maktab Sains Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan. They received cash prize, gold medals, a trophy, certificates and the Special Award for Sustainable Energy for Local Category 3.
2nd Place Winner: “Smart Multi-Sensor for Efficient Plant Monitoring”, by Abdul Wadud bin Haji Muhammad Hairol Nizam, Abdul Waliyy bin Abdul Aziz and Muhamad Nur Asyraf bin Haji Md Daud, from Sekolah Menengah Arab Laki-Laki Hassanal Bolkiah (SMALHB). They received cash prize, silver medals, a trophy and certificates.
3rd Place Winner: “Al-Soefe (The Source of Electricity From Electrolysis)”, by Muhammad Syaahir Azib bin Haji Rumaizi and Dayangku Khalisha Syarafana binti Pg Hj Md Saiful Redzuan. Supervised by Wan Suzairin bin Hj Wan Ali, from Sekolah Menengah Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Hj Abu Bakar. They received cash prize, silver medals, a trophy and certificates.
1st Special Mention: “FreshCheck: Smart Food Freshness Indicator Stickers”, by Muhammad Danish Ridhwan bin Mohammad Syaiful Assrie, Muhammad Irfan Zharfan bin Fazilah and Ryan Thieng Zhi Hern. Supervised by Nur Amalina binti Md Jair, from Pusat Tingkatan Enam Belait. They received cash prize, bronze medals and certificates.
2nd Special Mention: “Scraposers: Converting Food Waste into Electricity”, by Ampuan Nurin Syahiratul Fatini binti Ampuan Haji Sukarni, Hanaa Aliah Binti Haji Mohamad Azmi and Emilya Sayyidah binti Jamil, from Sekolah Menengah Arab Laki-Laki Hassanal Bolkiah (SMALHB). They received cash prize, bronze medals and certificates.
Smart Junior Competition
1st Place Winner: “Wind – An alternative power source for moving vehicles”, by Jiya Maria Jai, Chawalot Ho Xuan Yi and Callum Singh Sekhon. Supervised by Minu Jose, from Chung Hua Middle School Kuala Belait. They received cash prize, gold medals, a trophy, certificates and the Special Award for Sustainable Energy for this category.
2nd Place Winner: “A Vertical Hydroponic System with A United and Cooperative Ecosystem”, by Hanif Qusyairi bin Awang Sarisumardy, Muhammad Nuraqiel bin Mohammad Ismadi and Zul’irfan Naufal bin Indra Masrika Lubis. Supervised by Hjh Norazimah Binti Hj Abd Razak, from Sekolah Menengah Lambak Kiri. They received cash prize, silver medals, a trophy and certificates.
3rd Place Winner: “BinGenius”, by Muhammad Fadhlul Iqbal bin Samsudin, Suwardi bin Salman and Muhammad Irfan Aqil bin Shahfaizal. Supervised by Haji Muhammad Zuwaini bin Haji Aliyani, from Ma'had Islam Brunei. They received cash prize, bronze medals, a trophy and certificates.
1st Special Mention: “Gillbert the Fish”, by Dhiya Fatima Az-Zahra binti Mohamad Alimin, Amni Adlina binti Sha’adon and Dayang Siti Nur Rawiyani Aulia Rizqina binti Haji Awang Mohammad Noradilah. Supervised by Siti Nursabrina Zahirah binti Abdullah, from Sekolah Ugama Arab Menengah Perempuan Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha (SUAMPRIPAHS). They received cash prize, bronze medals, a trophy and certificates.
2nd Special Mention: “Kinetic Energy-Powered Streetlights”, by Nur Feeraz Ranea binti Mohammad Ali Asrinizal and Fiona Rafifah binti Roslan Khalid / Ahmad Shahir. Supervised by Awg Mohamad Wazzirul Wafaudin bin Esa and Cikgu Jenny Chin, from SM Sultan Sharif Ali. They received cash prize, bronze medals, a trophy and certificates.
ASEAN Category - New Invention & Innovation Category
1st Place Winner: “Development of Sustainable Marine Clay One-Part Geopolymer with Thermodynamic Modeling Optimization”, by Li Ziyang, Lao Junying and Qian Shunzhi. Supervised by Qian Shunzhi, from Nanyang Technological University Singapore. They received cash prize, gold medals, a trophy and certificates.
2nd Place Winner: “Eco-brick from Geopolymer-based Materials (ECO-BRICK)”, by Michael Promentilla, Jean Armel De Lima and Mikaela Beatrice Sy, from De La Salle University Phillippines. They received cash prize, gold medals, a trophy, scertificate and the Special Award for Sustainable Energy for this category.
3rd Place Winner: “GreenPulse: Intelligent Algae Monitoring and Control for CO2 Sequestration”, by Thanigai Kumaran Muthukumaran, Kiew Zheng Wei and Kevin A/L M Das. Supervised by Ts. Suresh Gobee, from Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation Malaysia. They received cash prize, silver medals, a trophy and certificates.
1st Special Mention: “EcoSphere: NetZero Intelligence Platform”, by Deaberniswarar Sharmaa, Tee Jen Looi and Tan Chiao Pin. Supervised by Prof. Ir. Dr. Denny Ng Kok Sum and Prof. Ts. Dr. Angela Lee Siew Hoong, from Sunway University Malaysia. They received cash prize, silver medalsand certificates.
2nd Special Mention: “SEAWAVeS: An Ecologically Smart Innovation for Marine Safety and Sustainable Communication”, by Julie Ann A. Salido, Miquel Von R. Oquendo and Mary Ann P. Martirez, from Aklan State University Philippines. They received cash prize, silver medals and certificates.
ASEAN Category - Young Inventor Category
2nd Place Winner: “Chicken Fat Ointment (CFO)”, by Putera Afif Mikhael Bin Ahmad Sazani, Nur Azzalea Fareesya Binti Mohd Arif Azany and Muhammad Syahir Ammar Bin Shauki. Supervised by Salmi Abdullah and Cikgu Nurul Azlina Yusof, from Smk Tengku Lela Segara, Terengganu, Malaysia. They received cash prize, silver medals, a trophy and certificates.
3rd Place Winner: “Formulating Paracetamol-Infused Jelly Using Fish Scale Gelatin for Pediatric Use”, by Lee Zhen Yu, Punn Punnabutr and Areyachart Mechai, from Vareechiangmai School Thailand. They received cash prize, silver medals, a trophy and certificates.
1st Special Mention: “Recycled Plastic Artificial Reef as Fish Habitat (RESPLASH)”, by Nashwa Aleeya Binti Mohd Napi, Ahmad Aliff Danial Bin Badrul Hisham and Muhammad Ammar Syazril Bin Sukni Hisham. Supervised by Cikgu Salmi binti Abdullah and Cikgu Nurhayati binti Abdul Jalil, from Smk Tengku Lela Segara, Terengganu, Malaysia. They received cash prize, bronze medals and certificates.
2nd Special Mention: “The Study of Using Tannin Extracts from Indian Almond Leaves to Produce Acne Patches from Discarded Silkworm Cocoons”, by Pimpichcha Uttarapong, Nutcha Theerapiboon and Puripat Boonsinthai. Supervised by Mr. Viwat Sutana, from Vareechiangmai School Thailand. They received cash prize and certificates.
The 1st place awards were not conferred in this category.
Before leaving the Ceremony, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince consented to interact with the top winners who exhibited their inventions.
CIPTA celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, having contributed innovative projects across diverse technological domains and played a significant role in capacity building in STEM fields since its inauguration in 2005. Over the years, CIPTA has actively promoted collaboration across academia, industry, and government. It has evolved to address contemporary challenges including green technologies and digital innovation. Specialised categories like the Smart Junior Competion and ASEAN entries reflect iys inclusive approach. As CIPTA enters its third decade, UTB reaffirms its commitment to nurturing ecosystems and developing human capital. The award remains a vital platform for recognising outstanding contributions to technological advancement and creative problem solving.
The biennial competition, which was inaugurated in 2005, has been organised by UTB with Brunei LNG Sendirian Berhad as partner and sponsor. CIPTA is an acronym for ‘Creative, Innovative Product and Technological Advancement'. The objectives of the Competition are: to inspire the youth and public to develop creative products, processes or technology for national aspirations; to encourage inventions and innovations; to recognise and award creative talents; to encourage research and development; to promote manufacturing processes and technological product development; to embed the culture of science, engineering and technology to the youth and public in Brunei Darussalam; and to foster collaborative linkages within Brunei Darussalam and ASEAN region.
CIPTA 2025 represents the eleventh iteration of the CIPTA competition, themed 'Green Innovations' in support of Brunei Darussalam's National Vision, Wawasan Brunei 2035. The theme focused on fostering environmentally sustainable solutions through technological advancement. It encourages innovations that reduce ecological footprints and enhance resource efficiency, such as renewable energy, biodegradable materials, and circular economy models. The theme aligns with global Sustainable Development Goals and Brunei Darussalam’s national sustainability agenda, aiming to inspire individuals, businesses, and governments to embed sustainability into their core practices and drive a resilient, eco-conscious future.
In conjunction with the CIPTA 2025, the CIPTA 2025 Seminar Series will be held over two days, on 3 July 2025 and 7 July 2025. The seminars include the Executive Seminar with the theme ‘Green Innovation for Sustainability’; and the CIPTA Forum themed ‘Building Bridges between Innovators, Industry, and Institutions’.
CIPTA 2025 features three main competition divisions: Local Categories, Smart Junior Competition, and ASEAN Categories.
The Local Categories consist of three distinct categories: Category 1 focuses on Creating New Product, Process or Technology; Category 2 involves Modifying Existing Product, Process or Technology; and Category 3 encompasses Creating New or Modifying Existing Product, Process or Technology by Young Inventors.
The Smart Junior Competition is exclusively for Bruneian lower secondary school students, while the ASEAN Categories comprise two categories: the New Invention & Innovation Category and the ASEAN Young Inventor Category.
Photo Credit: CCO Affendi & Nadzri
