Greenovate in Action: Young Scientists from Southeast Asia Turn Green Ideas into Real Solutions

In early February 2026, 475 students from across Southeast Asia arrived in Penang, Malaysia, with one shared goal: to show that young people can solve real problems. Over four days, they did exactly that. The 14th Regional Congress of the Search for SEAMEO Young Scientists (SSYS), held from 9 to 12 February, brought together student researchers from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Guided by 127 teacher advisors, they presented 174 projects on some of the region’s most urgent challenges — from water scarcity and climate change to food security and clean energy.

Organised by SEAMEO RECSAM (Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for Education in Science and Mathematics), the Congress ran under the theme “Greenovate: Youth Turning Vision into Action for a Sustainable Future.” This year’s edition went further than science alone, weaving in green entrepreneurship and climate action to prepare students not just to understand the world, but to change it.

From Greenhouse Farms to Solar Windows

Two projects stood out above the rest, each earning the congress’s highest honour — Most Promising Young Scientists — in their respective categories.

In the lower secondary category, a team from Cataingan National High School in the Philippines built SolarisAgriTech: a solar-powered smart greenhouse that uses sensors and an AI system to automatically manage temperature, humidity, and nutrient delivery for crops. Over a 28-day trial, their system grew tomato seedlings faster and taller than traditional methods — a low-cost, climate-resilient model that could support small farmers across the region.

In the upper secondary category, students from Tarlac National High School, also in the Philippines, tackled energy poverty with a striking idea: turning mango leaves into solar panels. Their team synthesised carbon quantum dots from Carabao Mango leaves — an agricultural waste product — and embedded them into window panels that capture ultraviolet light and convert it to electricity. The panels worked reliably across different weather conditions and angles, suggesting a practical clean energy option for communities with limited power access.

Both teams received MYR 1,500 each from SEAMEO RECSAM. Their seed grants of USD 2,000 each were generously supported by Chevron through the Southeast Asia One Health University Network (SEAOHUN) — funding designed to help the students take their research further in their own communities.

A Region Full of Ideas

Winning teams represented schools across Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Thailand, and the Philippines — a sign of the region’s growing depth of talent in science and sustainability. The panel of judges, led by Chief Judge Dr. Pamela Anne Knight from Newcastle University Medicine in Malaysia, described the quality of entries as exceptionally high.

Beyond the top prizes, five Special Awards were presented in each category for Benefit to Community, Educational Contribution, Commercial Potential, Application of STEM Concepts, and Creativity/Innovation. Each came with MYR 500 and a USD 500 seed grant — all supported by Chevron through SEAOHUN — to help students expand their research at the community level. Outstanding Awards for Best Project Report, Presentation, and Exhibit were also presented.

Education, and Partnership

Malaysia’s Minister of Education, YB Puan Fadhlina Sidek, served as Guest of Honour at the Awards Ceremony. She highlighted that SSYS reflects her ministry’s vision: students who are not just academically strong, but creative, collaborative, and ready to take on real challenges.

SEAMEO RECSAM Centre Director Dr. Azman bin Jusoh, presenting awards alongside Chairman Dr. Aszunarni Ayob, Madam Norlelawati Roslan from the Ministry of Education Malaysia, and Chevron Malaysia Corporate Affairs Manager Ms. Uzma Nawawi, thanked all partners for their commitment. “May the spirit of collaboration, creativity, and innovation continue to guide these young scientists,” he said, “as they turn their visions into actionable solutions for a sustainable and resilient future.”

The Congress also links directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals — including Quality Education, Climate Action, and Responsible Consumption — and supports SEAMEO’s regional Commitment to Action on Greening Education, adopted by Education Ministers at their 53rd Council Conference in Brunei Darussalam in 2025.

The 14th SSYS Congress was made possible through collaboration between SEAMEO RECSAM, the Ministry of Education Malaysia, Chevron through SEAOHUN, The Habitat Foundation, Penang Green Council, Green Growth Asia Foundation, Entopia, UNESCO INRULED, SEAMEO SEARCA, SEAMEO SEPS, and KRYA Global.

SSYS has run since 1997, bringing together young scientists every two years to share ideas and build the regional networks that will shape Southeast Asia’s future. The 15th Regional Congress is already planned for 2028 at SEAMEO RECSAM.