A joint cross-border student team from Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) and Shaanxi University of Science and Technology (SUST), China, won the Bronze Award at the 19th National College Students Energy Conservation, Emission Reduction and Social Practice & Technology Competition 2026 in Dalian, standing out among 730 participating universities with their energy-saving molded pulp system.

In a compelling display of cross-border research and green innovation, Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) and Shaanxi University of Science and Technology (SUST), China, secured the bronze award at the 19th National College Students Energy Conservation, Emission Reduction and Social Practice & Technology Competition 2026.

Competing under the dedicated Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and “Belt and Road” International Track, the joint APU–SUST contingent showcased their winning engineering solution at the finals held at Dalian University of Technology, China.

The award-winning project, titled ‘Electromagnetic Induction Heating and Temperature-Control Energy-Saving System for Molded Pulp’, targeted core efficiency challenges in green packaging. 

The team was led by APU student Lim Yu Yang, alongside fellow APU team members Lim Wei Xuan, Darren Voon Wei Lun, Yap Jang Sheng, and Wong De Qing, who collaborated seamlessly with SUST students Bowen Zhao, Yuhang Yan, and Shuqi Wu. 

The initiative was jointly mentored by APU Assistant Professor Ir Ts Dr Alexander Chee Hon Cheong and SUST Professor Dr Lingbo Kong.

Assistant Professor Ir Ts Dr Alexander Chee Hon Cheong was officially appointed as an Adjunct Professor by Shaanxi University of Science and Technology (SUST), China, reflecting his active role in international research collaboration and joint academic supervision.

Reflecting APU’s leading role in driving the collaboration, the official award certificate designated APU as the Primary Participating Institution and SUST as the Collaborating Participating Institution — marking a milestone achievement in the growing research alliance between both universities.

A high-stakes arena for global sustainability

As a major national platform for energy conservation and green technologies, the contest operates under the guidance of the Teaching Steering Committee for Energy and Power Majors under China’s Ministry of Education, organised by the National College Students Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction Social Practice and Technology Competition Committee.

Anchored by the core theme of ‘Energy Conservation, Emission Reduction and Green Energy’, the event challenged participants to transform complex scientific principles into practical, real-world solutions. 

Submissions spanned physical prototypes, engineering models, software, and social-practice research, with heavy emphasis on novelty and execution.

The sheer scale of the event underscored the significance of the team’s achievement: by May 2026, an astounding 730 universities had registered for the 19th edition. 

Within this highly competitive field, the international track provided a vital stage for cross-border talent, where the APU–SUST entry distinguished itself before an expert judging panel.

Translating engineering theory into green reality

The joint project focused on integrating electromagnetic induction heating with advanced temperature-control systems for molded pulp processing, embedding energy conservation directly into the core manufacturing architecture.

Beyond technical novelty, the initiative immersed students in the full lifecycle of engineering innovation — from initial concept development and technical testing to interdisciplinary teamwork and live pitch presentations. 

The collaboration bridged Malaysian and Chinese academic talents, fostering meaningful knowledge exchange and cross-cultural problem-solving.

The Bronze Award stands as a tangible outcome of the deepening synergy between APU and SUST. 

Through joint academic supervision and collaborative project execution, both institutions created an active pathway for students to tackle engineering problems with global relevance.

For APU, the victory illustrated how international academic partnerships can move beyond formal agreements to deliver measurable results in student development, sustainable engineering, and applied research. 

The accomplishment also reinforced APU’s ongoing mission to nurture well-rounded future engineers equipped with technical excellence, cross-cultural agility, and teamwork capabilities.

Building upon this success, APU and SUST plan to deepen their collaborative framework across mechanical engineering, intelligent manufacturing, energy-efficient technologies, robotics, and sustainable development.

Heartiest congratulations go to the joint student team and their supervisors for representing APU-SUST with distinction on the international stage.