KUCHING, 31 January 2026 — The spirit of innovation and digital creativity took centre stage as the Mobile App Challenge 8.0 concluded with its Grand Final and Closing Ceremony at Sarawak Skills, reinforcing Sarawak’s growing momentum in nurturing digital- and AI-ready talent.
Jointly organised by the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology (FCSIT), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) in collaboration with industry and training partners, the challenge has become a key platform for students to transform ideas into impactful digital solutions.
This year’s edition drew 100 participants from 12 institutions, with 20 outstanding projects shortlisted for the Grand Final across the Product and Idea categories.
The closing ceremony was graced by YB Wilfred Yap Yau Sin, State Assemblyman for N12 Kota Sentosa, as Guest of Honour, alongside Professor Ir. Ts. Dr. Al-Khalid bin Hj Othman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) of UNIMAS, reflecting strong institutional and government support for digital talent development initiatives.
In her address, Professor Dr. Jane Labadin, Dean of FCSIT UNIMAS, highlighted the importance of experiential learning platforms such as the Mobile App Challenge in preparing students for the realities of a rapidly evolving digital and AI-driven economy.
She emphasised that such initiatives complement UNIMAS’ broader mission to produce future-ready graduates equipped with industry-relevant skills.
Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Hallman bin Sabri, Executive Director of Sarawak Skills, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting industry-driven and AI-enabled training programmes.
He stressed that sustained collaboration between academia, industry, and government is crucial in building a resilient digital ecosystem for Sarawak.
The competition’s growing reputation was evident in its regional and international participation, with finalist teams representing institutions across Malaysia and Indonesia. Projects were evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges from academia, industry, and digital economy stakeholders, ensuring rigorous assessment based on innovation, technical execution, real-world impact, and practical applicability.
Top honours in the Product Category went to Atlas from UNIMAS, while Cupcake Kemas, also from UNIMAS, clinched first place in the Idea Category.
Additional awards recognised creativity, teamwork, and strong engagement throughout the programme, underscoring the holistic learning experience offered by the challenge.
The successful execution of Mobile App Challenge 8.0 was made possible through the generous support of Sarawak Road Asset Management Solutions (SRAMS) as the Main Sponsor, in collaboration with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).
Their involvement highlights the critical role of cross-sector partnerships in advancing innovation and digital skills development.
The event concluded with prize presentations and certificates of participation, marking yet another milestone in UNIMAS’ ongoing efforts to strengthen digital and AI talent pipelines.
As Sarawak accelerates its digital transformation agenda, initiatives such as the Mobile App Challenge continue to play a vital role in shaping the next generation of innovators.
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