Rebecca PY MALAYSIA, 25 JUNE 2026 – Samsung Malaysia Electronics has officially kicked off Solve for Tomorrow 2026, the eighth instalment of its flagship youth empowerment programme, inviting secondary school students across Malaysia to channel their STEM knowledge into solving the challenges that matter most to their communities.
Running under the theme Start with Can: Plant the Seeds of Change, this year’s contest targets students between the ages of 13 and 15, spanning Form 1 to Form 3. Participants are encouraged to form teams of three, supported by a teacher and a mentor, and tasked with identifying pressing local issues before crafting creative, STEM-based solutions that can deliver genuine impact.
The launch comes at a time when Malaysia is intensifying its push toward becoming a high-income, innovation-led economy. The urgency is clear on a global scale as well, with an estimated 170 million new jobs projected to emerge by the end of the decade, even as 92 million existing roles face displacement due to rapid technological and economic shifts. Demand for skills in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and digital technologies is accelerating, making early STEM development more critical than ever.
This year, student teams will channel their ideas across one of four focus areas: environmental sustainability, sport and technology, health, and education. Registration is open from 22 June to 27 July 2026 via Samsung Malaysia’s official programme page.
The competition roadmap is structured for progressive development. Shortlisted entries will be unveiled in August 2026, with the top 10 teams advancing to a mentorship-driven prototype development stage. These finalists will also participate in a Design Thinking Workshop before competing in a final pitching round scheduled for October 2026.
Agnes Wong, Head of Corporate Marketing at Samsung Malaysia Electronics, emphasised that the programme is rooted in the belief that innovation starts with curiosity and the courage to act. She noted that Solve for Tomorrow is designed to show young Malaysians that the ability to drive meaningful change lies within them, regardless of their starting point.
Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Mas Sahidayana Mohktar, Director of Universiti Malaya STEM Centre, echoed this sentiment, highlighting that STEM education becomes most powerful when students apply their learning beyond the classroom to tackle real challenges, build prototypes, and develop the kind of resilience and critical thinking demanded by an innovation-driven economy.
Interested students can register at samsung.com/my/solvefortomorrow before the 27 July 2026 deadline.