PINC TECHNOLOGY, UMS ORGANISE TECH AND MARITIME COMPETITION FOR UNDERGRADUATES

LABUAN, May 21 (Bernama) -- PinC Technology Sdn Bhd and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) are collaborating to launch a joint initiative to organise a four-month national competition involving the marine industry.

In a joint statement today, they unveiled the launch of MarineHack 2025 themed Navigating Tomorrow: Smart Solutions for a Sustainable Maritime Industry and invited university students nationwide to harness artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics (BDA), and the Internet of Things (IoT) in tackling critical maritime challenges in the competition.

PinC Technology managing director Josef Wong Ming Chong said: “It is a deeply personal honour to be here today, in Labuan — my hometown — to mark the beginning of something close to my heart: a long-term, meaningful strategic collaboration between PinC Technology and UMS.”

Wong said the competition offers a platform to nurture bold ideas and transform them into practical, real-world innovations. 

“MarineHack 2025, the first joint initiative, exemplifies that vision,” he said.

Participants will explore solutions such as vessel route optimisation, marine pollution detection, and maritime safety and efficiency.

Open to undergraduates from public and private institutions, it encourages team-based problem-solving, allowing groups of three to five students to work with a lecturer mentor. 

The initiative fosters practical learning, entrepreneurial thinking, and collaborative innovation.

The competition is aligned with the Higher Education Ministry’s ambition to produce future-ready talent by cultivating research excellence and nurturing industry-aligned skills among students.

It has four stages, with stage 1 initiation round from July 1 to 14 July 2025. The first three stages are conducted online, and the last and fourth stage is the grand finals on Nov 15-16 at UMS Labuan International Campus, the statement said.

The top prize is RM10,000 and a chance to pilot their innovation with PinC Technology. Second and third-placed winners will receive RM7,500 and RM5,000, respectively. 

 UMS Labuan International Campus (UMSKAL) director Prof  Dr Shamsul Bahari Samsudin said the MarineHack 2025 initiative deserves full support from academic institutions.

“Its focus is on harnessing AI, BDA and the IoT to address maritime safety and pollution. It aligns with our commitment to creating healthier, safer, and more efficient work environments in the sector. 

“By empowering students to develop smart, sustainable solutions, MarineHack helps to drive innovation and also nurtures a generation sensitive to occupational risks and ergonomic challenges, ultimately contributing to a more resilient and responsible maritime industry,” he said.

UMSKAL Associate Professor Dr Geoffrey Harvey Tanakinjal said integrating cutting-edge technologies is a transformative step that will enhance operational efficiency, improve maritime safety, and promote sustainable practices, especially in vessel route optimisation, real-time environmental monitoring, and predictive maintenance. 

MarineHack 2025 is backed by the National AI Office, the Marine Department, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, and the National Tech Association of Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA