The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre congratulates Zhang Shan, Hu Mengxiong, and their supervisor, Assistant Professor ChM Dr. Lai Sin Yuan - all from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering - on winning Silver Prizes at the 2025 International Virtual Competition for Creative and Innovative Ideas (IVCCII).

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To celebrate and nurture creativity and innovation, the competition provides a platform for students to showcase their ideas and engage in creative problem-solving for a global audience. More than 10 universities participated in this international competition, including the University of Malaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Petronas, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Universitas Islam Negeri Walisongo Semarang, and the University of 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya.

Zhang Shan and Hu Mengxiong, both undergraduates in New Energy Science and Engineering (NESE), won Silver Prizes for their respective projects. Zhang Shan's project, titled "Waste to Wonder: Biomass-Derived N-Doped Carbon Dots from Fruit Peels as Green Catalysts for Biodiesel Production", and Hu Mengxiong's project, "Solar-Driven Catalytic Valorisation of Glycerol Waste into Green Hydrogen Fuel", both focus on converting waste into energy. Their award-winning research highlights innovative approaches to transforming biomass into biodiesel and hydrogen fuel, exemplifying the waste-to-energy concept.

Image	Zhang Shan: "Above all, I'm incredibly grateful for Dr. Lai's unwavering guidance, patience, and support throughout the entire preparation process. I've learned so much along the way, and this experience truly means a lot to me. Her mentorship made a real difference. Winning Silver is just the beginning - I'm motivated to keep pushing forward and striving for more!"
Image	Hu Mengxiong: "I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Lai for her patience, encouragement, and unwavering support. I've learned so much throughout this journey. Despite many challenges and a tight schedule, I was able to push through with her guidance and motivation. I'm inspired to work even harder and achieve even better results in the future."
Image	Dr. Lai Sin Yuan, from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering at Xiamen University Malaysia, conducts research in green chemistry, materials science, heterogeneous catalysis, photocatalysis, biomass, and biofuels, with a strong focus on environmental sustainability and the circular economy.