Kota Kinabalu: Sabah’s SM Sung Siew team, Triangle, emerged national champion of Shell NXplorers Malaysia 2026 after outperforming five other teams from across the country.
The students impressed the judges with their creativity, collaboration and innovative approach to solving real-world challenges.
The event was graced by Deputy Chief Minister III cum State Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick.
Through Shell NXplorers, young people are challenged to think differently about complex issues involving food, water and energy while developing critical thinking, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (Stem) and problem-solving skills to help shape future solutions.
“Every breakthrough begins with the courage to ask, ‘What if we did things differently?’ That spirit is at the heart of Shell NXplorers.
“Seeing students transform complex challenges into creative and practical solutions shows us the remarkable potential of young people when curiosity is matched with the right skills and opportunities.
“Shell NXplorers is about nurturing that potential and empowering students to become confident problem-solvers who can help shape a better future,” said Shairan Huzani Husain, Managing Director of Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd and Shell Timur Sdn Bhd.
Triangle members Ivan Lam Jun Yin, Alan Romeo Roy Joseph Boguli and Izz Iqbal Rizqin Mohd Shamsul developed their award-winning innovation, DriveShield, inspired by the need to address communication barriers in Malaysian schools.
DriveShield is an affordable and eco-friendly road safety system that uses artificial intelligence (AI)-powered monitoring to detect risky driving behaviours, including drowsiness, mobile phone use, smoking and alcohol consumption.
The solar-powered system provides instant alerts and incident tracking to encourage safer driving habits.
Using NXthinking tools, the team transformed their idea into an accessible, affordable and scalable solution with the potential to support the deaf and hard-of-hearing community across Malaysia.
“Winning the Shell NXplorers Malaysia finals is a proud moment for us, but seeing our idea become a solution that can make a difference makes it even more meaningful.
“Shell NXplorers challenged us to look at problems from different perspectives, think beyond the obvious and turn our ideas into action.
“This experience has built our confidence and inspired us to create solutions that can make a difference in our communities,” said the champion team.
As national champion, Triangle receives an all-expenses-paid learning trip to Seoul, South Korea.
The first runner-up title went to Theory from SMK Bandar Bintulu for its invention, ElderCare AI, while Alvee Aylwin Tan from SM All Saints received the Best Presenter award for his compelling delivery and clear, insightful explanation of his team’s innovation.
Six schools, comprising two finalists each from Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, took part in the national finals after emerging as state winners and runners-up in the Shell NXplorers Malaysia competition.
The finalist schools were SMK Lutong, SMK Bandar Bintulu, SMK Vivekananda in Kuala Lumpur, SMK Tengku Idris Shah in Selangor, SM Sung Siew and SM All Saints.
The grand finals were judged by a panel comprising Datuk Albert Lo, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of SMJ Energy Sdn Bhd; Mohd Ridhuan Yusof, Senior Principal Assistant Director of the Information and Communication Technology Unit, Learning Sector, Sabah Education Department; and Alexon Jong, General Manager of Sabah Shell Petroleum Company Limited (SSPC).
Also present was Cindy Lopez, General Manager of Corporate Relations, Shell Malaysia.
Reaching more than 1,000 students across 29 secondary schools nationwide, Shell NXplorers Malaysia brings Stem to life by encouraging students to explore challenges, think critically and develop innovative solutions.
Supported by the Education Ministry, the programme combines technology, creativity and collaboration to equip young people with practical skills to address real-world challenges.
