Kuala Lumpur, Sept 21: SMK St. Anthony from Sarikei, Sarawak emerged as the champions of the annual ‘DIY Made Simple’ competition, which featured 439 entries from 180 schools across Malaysia.
This year’s theme, ‘Repurposing Waste, Countering Cost of Living,’ challenged students to creatively use waste materials to enhance school facilities, reduce costs, and promote sustainability, with a focus on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles, especially the environmental aspect.
SMK St. Anthony’s winning project, ‘ET BLOCK,’ introduced an eco-friendly, durable, and affordable seating solution made from egg trays, recycled cloth, plastic, and wooden pieces, aiming to improve the school’s facilities and enhance the students’ learning experience. The competition is a collaborative effort between Malaysia’s largest home improvement retailer, MR D.I.Y. Group, Universiti Malaya’s Community Engagement Centre (UMCares), and the UM Faculty of Built Environment, with support from the Ministry of Education’s Sports, Co-Curriculum, and Arts Division.
The ‘DIY Made Simple’ competition, now in its seventh year, aims to instill a culture of sustainability among young Malaysians. MR D.I.Y. Group Chairman Dato’ Azlam Shah Alias expressed his enthusiasm for the competition’s growth and the inspiring work showcased, emphasizing its role in shaping Malaysia’s sustainable future.
The competition also received praise from Universiti Malaya Community Engagement Centre (UMCares) Director, Associate Professor Dr. Amer Siddiq Amer Nordin, who highlighted its collaborative nature and the promotion of a do-it-yourself culture, essential for building students’ confidence and skills.
SMK St. Anthony, Sarikei, Sarawak, claimed the championship title and a cash prize of RM4,000, followed by SMK Kunak Jaya, Kunak, Sabah, in second place with RM3,000. The third, fourth, and fifth positions were secured by SM Sains Sultan Iskandar, Mersing, Johor; SMK Elopura 2, Sandakan, Sabah; and SMJK Kwang Hua, Klang, Selangor, each receiving cash prizes and other rewards. Additionally, SMK Chong Hwa, Kluang, Johor, and SMK St. Anthony, Sarikei, Sarawak, were recognized for their popular competition videos on YouTube and TikTok.
Consolation prizes were awarded to several schools, and state education departments that contributed significantly to the competition’s success were also acknowledged. Since its inception in 2017, the ‘DIY Made Simple’ competition has engaged thousands of students from hundreds of schools across Malaysia and is set to continue for the 2023-2025 competitions through MR D.I.Y.’s partnership with UM.
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