Throughout Samsung’s history, we have made it our mission to devote our talent and technology in creating innovative products and services that contribute to the betterment of global society. As a global leader in technology, we also have a responsibility to leverage our innovations, skill and knowledge to bridge the widening digital divide and give more youths the opportunity to reap the benefits of digitalization.

Within the Southeast Asia and Oceania (SEAO) region, we are seeing rapid growth in the digital economy. This is fueled by factors such as increasing mobile penetration and social media usage, a booming e-commerce market, strong government push towards digitalization, and importantly, a population of young digital natives.

Youths are the future drivers for the region, both as consumers and innovators. As we celebrate Samsung Electronics’ 54^th anniversary globally on November 1^st, we remain committed to empowering our youth to meet the demands of the ever-evolving world, while at the same time, uplifting communities across the SEAO region.

Global programs with local impact

In the spirit of co-prosperity, we are committed to doing our part as a socially and environmentally responsible corporate citizen in the communities that we are in, and as champions of innovation, we continually push ourselves to do better in inspiring the next generation through technology. This year, we are excited to see Solve for Tomorrow (SFT), our global flagship STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) – based student competition, expand to more markets in SEAO, including Indonesia and the Philippines. SFT is also making headway in the Pacific Islands, with Samoa and Tonga kick-starting local editions for the very first time in August this year.

▲ More than 500 students in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, participated in a SFT workshop in June 2023.

The 2023 edition of SFT is still ongoing in several SEAO markets, but we are already seeing massive momentum in the region, with projects covering creative solutions to address real-life challenges in a variety of themes including environment and sustainability, learning and education, wellness, and healthcare, and more. Beyond the technical competition element, our young participants also receive training in soft skills required for the future workforce, including the 4Cs of 21^st Century Skills – Communication, Collaboration, Critical thinking, and Creativity.

We estimate that over 110,000 students and over 1,000 schools are benefiting from this program so far this year, through the competition, online and offline workshops, and other SFT-related activities.

▲ For the 2021 edition of Solve for Tomorrow in Australia, students were encouraged to create fun videos that presented social issues of personal relevance while highlighting STEM-based solutions. Tasmania-based Meg Phillips emerged as the overall winner, driven by her passion for animal conservation, with an RFID-based system to warn animals of approaching cars, with the aim of reducing wildlife casualties, as well as to keep drivers safe.

Recently, Samsung New Zealand announced its SFT 2023 winners. I am especially heartened by the winning submissions that are the embodiment of why we continue to dedicate our efforts for communities through this program. For example, 12-year old Thomas Costar’s hydro turbine mechanism that helps to generate electricity through household drainage systems – the scientific approach that he took is a great example of perseverance and design thinking.

▲ Samsung Innovation Campus participants in Cambodia working diligently under the guidance of mentors.

Beyond encouraging innovative thinking with SFT, we also want to empower the next generation with practical skills needed for success in an increasingly digital world. This is where Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) comes into play. Through SIC, we want to help youth develop real-world skills in the areas of AI, IoT, big data, and coding through formalized training programs, alongside other activities like Innovation Hackathons and IoT Bootcamps.

Since first launching in Indonesia and Vietnam in 2019, we continue to ramp up our work in SEAO. This year, we are excited to add Cambodia and Laos to the program roster. To date, we estimate that over 8,000 students are participating in the program from 135 schools across Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, along with significant interest from a number of national universities too. We are encouraged by the incredibly positive feedback received from students on how the SIC program has helped change their perspectives towards data science, as well as helping them better navigate their education journey.

We are immensely appreciative and humbled by all the cooperation, support, and the sharing of information and learnings from the various governmental agencies and educational organizations who have graciously partnered with us on this journey. These partnerships ensure that the local editions are tailored for the unique education needs of each community, enhancing the learning experience for students, and amplify the program’s impact across the region by increasing awareness of it and supporting its rollout in the markets.

There is no doubt that having passion for education played a significant role in the remarkable success that we have achieved in the spirit of co-creation with initiatives like SFT and SIC.

As an added plus, the activation of programs like SFT and SIC created more opportunities for Samsung to further contribute to local communities and education. For example, this year in Indonesia, we signed two agreements, one is with the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Republic Indonesia to roll out the ‘Samsung Digital for Indonesia’ program in support of the local smart madrasah program, and the other one with the Institute of Technology Bandung for developing digital technology on sustainable environmental conservation.

Looking to the Next 54 Years and Beyond

At Samsung, we passionately believe that doing good is in fact, good business. We are committed to ongoing community engagements and impactful contributions, to continue growing with the SEAO region. At the same time, we look forward to working together with future generations of innovators, encouraging them to be bold and push the boundaries of innovation to shape a brighter future – not just for the next 54 years, but for generations to come.

Samsung Malaysia Electronics and Universiti Malaya have unveiled the impressive line-up of 10 semi-finalist teams for the highly-anticipated Solve for Tomorrow (SFT) 2023 competition. This marks the fourth year of the competition, designed to inspire students to embrace innovation and become adept problem-solvers who create solutions to address society’s issues through the application of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

This year’s competition continues to be a competitive one, with ground-breaking ideas pouring in from different schools across Malaysia. Students passionately engaged in addressing one of the competition’s three central themes: Education & Learning, Sustainability & Environment, and Health & Well-Being. After a meticulous evaluation of each submission, a panel of distinguished judges from Universiti Malaya carefully curated the cream of the crop, identifying the top 10 teams to advance to Phase 2 of this prestigious competition.

“As we witness the enthusiasm and innovative spirit of this new generation, we’re reminded that the future of our nation is in capable hands. This year’s submissions have illuminated ground-breaking ideas that can drive meaningful change through STEM. Nurturing young talent and fostering a passion for innovation is pivotal in shaping a brighter tomorrow and we at Samsung are committed to guiding and empowering these emerging visionaries. It is indeed a privilege to be part of their journey and to support the future leaders of our country,” shared Dato’ Roh Jae Yeol, Director of Corporate Affairs at Samsung Malaysia Electronics.

Ir. Dr Mas Sahidayana Mohktar, Director of Universiti Malaya STEM Centre and judge for the Solve for Tomorrow 2023 competition said, “I am truly amazed by the remarkable submissions we’ve seen this year. Malaysian students continue to showcase their deep awareness of the challenges facing their community and are presenting viable solutions. Their credible and innovative ideas hold the promise of meaningful change. We eagerly anticipate the transformative impact these future innovators will make as they proceed to develop their prototypes in the coming year. We are confident that these students will make a positive impact on the world. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours.”

The 10 semi-finalists teams for Solve For Tomorrow 2023 (in no particular order) are:

• Creators of Tomorrow – SMK Sultan
• CUBE OF THREE – SMK BANDAR TUN HUSSEIN ONN 2
• Victernal – MRSM Bagan Datuk
• The YEY – SMJK Kwang Hua
• ALOHI – SMK (P) AIR PANAS
• H.I.P – SMK PUTERI WILAYAH
• Magnetic OleoHydroGuard Sponge – SMK KUBANG BEMBAN
• The Bees Knees – SMJK Kwang Hua
• PaperTerra Techs – Sekolah Indonesia Kuala Lumpur
• Acsian – SMK Methodist ACS Ipoh

The 10 semi-finalist teams of the Samsung Solve For Tomorrow (SFT) competition are now moving on to Phase 2, where they will refine their concepts and create prototypes. The mentors from Samsung Malaysia Electronics and Universiti Malaya will help them prepare their presentations for Phase 3 of the competition. In the final round, five teams will compete for impressive prizes worth RM 30,000 of Samsung products.

For more information on Solve for Tomorrow, please visit https://www.samsung.com/my/solvefortomorrow/2023/.

Stay updated with the latest information by following the official Samsung Malaysia Facebook and Twitter accounts. You can also watch the winning presentations from last year’s winners at Solve For Tomorrow – Winners | Samsung Malaysia.

Samsung Malaysia Electronics announced the launch of ‘Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2023’, a youth competition between secondary school students that brings compassion, education, and technology together. The competition aims to inspire students to be innovators and problem-solvers who create solutions to address issues faced by society. By encouraging the use of technology, the competition empowers students to make a positive impact and contribute to society.

As innovation is becoming increasingly important in our society, there is a growing need to prepare future generations with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in a research-driven world. Recognising the importance of enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in our country, Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow 2023 aligns with the nation’s strong emphasis on the importance of higher education, providing a platform for secondary school students to engage in problem-solving and innovation, the competition supports and reinforces the nation’s commitment to advancing education and preparing the next generation for a successful future.

Dato’ Roh Jae Yeol, Director of Corporate Affairs at Samsung Malaysia Electronics, said, “Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow program serves as a beacon of inspiration, fostering practical STEM education on a national scale. By making education relatable, accessible, and enjoyable, the program strives to empower and equip young minds with the essential skills to build a brighter future. Through the provision of tools, resources, and hands-on experiences, the initiative also seeks to ignite a genuine interest in STEM subjects, nurturing a generation of innovative thinkers and problem solvers who will play a pivotal role in shaping a brighter tomorrow.”

Samsung Malaysia’s Solve for Tomorrow 2023 is a collaborative effort between Samsung Malaysia and Universiti Malaya’s STEM Centre, emphasizing research, analysis, and teamwork. This competition is specifically designed for Form 1 and Form 2 students from all national secondary schools in the country, aiming to enhance their learning experience through engaging in STEM activities. Recognizing the importance of hands-on learning, the program strives to instil a passion for STEM subjects in students, enabling them to become active contributors to society and agents of positive change.

This year’s Solve for Tomorrow competition, themed ‘Start with Can’, aims to harness the power within each participant and instil confidence in their abilities to believe in themselves, build passion for problem-solving, and motivate them to think innovatively. By encouraging students to tap into their potential, the competition seeks to inspire them to make a lasting impact on society and drive positive change through the creation of impactful solutions for the challenges of tomorrow.

“The partnership between Universiti Malaya’s STEM Centre and Samsung Malaysia equips future leaders with vital skills, fostering innovation and digital literacy to drive a STEM-based economy. This collaboration is instrumental in cultivating an advanced nation, addressing complexities and supporting impactful solutions. By combining our expertise, we can empower youth to think innovatively, creating a sustainable and better world,” said Ir. Dr Mas Sahidayana Mohktar, Director of Universiti Malaya STEM Centre.

The focus for 2023 themes are three critical social issues: ‘Education & Learning’, ‘Environmental & Sustainability’, and ‘Health & Well-Being’. By prioritizing these pressing concerns, the competition aims to stimulate critical thinking among students and inspire them to develop innovative solutions that can bring about positive societal change.

‘Education & Learning’ theme addresses barriers and challenges to equal educational opportunities. By encouraging students to think creatively, the competition empowers them to enhance access, quality, and inclusivity in education, contributing to a more equitable and inclusive system.

‘Environmental & Sustainability’ remains a top priority, emphasising the urgent need to protect our planet. The competition motivates students to generate innovative ideas and initiatives that promote sustainable practices, conservation, and environmental responsibility, empowering them to be catalysts for positive change and advocates for a more sustainable future.

‘Health & Well-Being’ as a social concern in 2023 highlights the significance of promoting physical and mental well-being in communities. The competition inspires students to explore innovative approaches for addressing health issues, improving healthcare accessibility, and promoting healthy lifestyles, aiming to cultivate student-led initiatives that positively impact individuals and communities, leading to a healthier and more resilient society.

By addressing these three critical social issues, Samsung Malaysia’s Solve for Tomorrow program in 2023 aims to empower students to become active contributors in shaping a more inclusive, sustainable, and healthier future for their communities and beyond.

Solve for Tomorrow 2023 requires participants to present an idea and innovative solutions that address one of the three themes, all of which play a crucial role in our nation’s progress. Each group of three students will need to describe the problem they want to solve and explain how STEM can be applied to address this problem in 1000 words. Samsung Malaysia and Universiti Malaya will assess the entries based on several criteria, such as issue relevance, creativity, feasibility of ideas, application of STEM, and presentation of innovative solutions.

The shortlisted entries will be announced on Samsung Malaysia’s Solve for Tomorrow website in September. The shortlisted participants will receive assistance from mentors and experts to enhance and create prototypes of their ideas at a Design to Win Workshop. The winners will be chosen through a competitive pitch process in December 2023 and awarded the following prizes:

First Prize: Samsung products worth RM12,000 for their school and RM6,000 per member.

Second Prize: Samsung products worth RM10,000 for their school and RM5,000 per member.

Third Prize: Samsung products worth RM8,000 for their school and RM4,000 per member.

Consolation Prizes: Two teams will receive Samsung products worth RM4,500 for their schools and RM700 per member.

Solve for Tomorrow is now open for registration here, participants will have until 22 September 2023 to submit their entries.

Stay updated with the latest information by following the official Samsung Malaysia Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. You can also watch the winning presentations from last year’s winners at Solve For Tomorrow – Winners | Samsung Malaysia.

For more information about Solve for Tomorrow, please visit https://www.samsung.com/my/solvefortomorrow/2023/.