HYDROLINK TEAM FROM USM CLINCHES TICKET TO ASIA PACIFIC GEO FINALE

Celebrating their national victory, Hydrolink Team from USM proudly displays their "TICKET TO GEO FINALE" alongside their innovative AQUASHIELD flood barrier

PETALING JAYA, Wednesday, 29th October 2025 - One of the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) teams from School of Mechanical Engineering outstanding during the Malaysia Final for the AAKRUTI Innovation Competition 2025 by SolidWorks 3DEXPERIENCE at IME Technology Sdn Bhd, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. The Hydrolink Team from USM will represent one of the 2 ultimate winners from Malaysia at the AAKRUTI Asia Pacific Final in November 2025.

Out of the shortlisted Top 5 teams, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) showcased a dominant display of innovation at the Malaysia Final of the AAKRUTI Innovation Competition 2025 with three of its teams securing places in the National Top 5. The standout performance came from Hydrolink Team which clinched a position among the Top 2 teams in Malaysia earning the highly-coveted "TICKET TO GEO FINALE" to represent Malaysia at the upcoming AP South Geo Finale.

The national stage was a testament to USM's diverse engineering talent. Mechdonalds Team comprised of Teoh Kar Jun, Chin Guo Dong, Fabian Saik Weng Hang, and Heng Wei Ming, pitched "BelSar" a visionary hybrid-electric airship designed for sustainable, medium-distance cargo transport. Simultaneously, Rekasari Apex Team with members Mior Ahmad Zaim Bin Mior Ahmad Nizam, Muhammad Adam Bin Azahar, Farhan Syauqi Bin Muhammad Zain, and Ahmad Faris Bin Mohd Nizam presented their "Highway Wind-Powered Streetlight (HWPS) System" a solution that harnesses wind from passing vehicles to power highway lights, enhancing safety and promoting green energy.

Showcasing USM's diverse engineering talent, Mechdonalds (left) Team and Rekasari Apex Team (right) who both secured spots in the National Top 5 alongside Hydrolink Team.

Amid this strong field, Hydrolink Team captivated the judges with their groundbreaking flood mitigation solution, "AQUASHIELD". The team comprised of Kang Zhen Lin, Alif Danial, Siew Wei Hong, and Darren Tong Kai Xuan presented a product that marks a significant leap in flood protection technology. AQUASHIELD boasts a modular, reusable design featuring a foldable stainless-steel frame, a quick-lock mechanism, and a rubberized gasket. This innovation allows for rapid deployment by just 2-3 people in under five minutes without any tools, making it a vital asset during sudden flood emergencies.

The journey to this national victory was paved with challenges. The Hydrolink Team navigated complex technical hurdles in CAD modeling, simulation, and prototype fabrication where multiple iterations were tested and refined. Under the steadfast guidance of their mentor, Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Salman Abu Mansor, the team transformed each obstacle into a stepping stone toward a more robust solution. On competition day, their flawless presentation effectively communicated AQUASHIELD's innovative advantages culminating in the jubilant moment they clinched their ticket to the next level.

"This ticket to the AP South Geo Finale is a testament to our team's hard work and our solution's potential to make a real impact", the team shared after their victory. "We are excited to carry this momentum forward and are already deep in preparation for the next challenge."

With this significant national achievement behind them, Hydrolink Team now sets its sights on the AP South Geo Finale which will be held early on November 2025. A strong performance there will secure their ticket to the prestigious grand finale in the USA in February 2026, potentially propelling AQUASHIELD onto the global stage of innovative engineering.