Jen Yee (topmost, second from right) and Jia Hui (bottom right) explaining their innovative solution to the panel of judges.
The genius creativity of two students from TAR UMT, Long Jen Yee and Yap Jia Hui, captured the amazement of the judges and landed them the Overall Winner of the prestigious Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Student Competition 2023. The online competition, themed “Decarbonising the Built Environment – the road to UN Climate Change Conference (COP) 28, drew 48 entries from different countries worldwide such as the United Kingdom, Australia, United Arab Emirates, China, Africa, etc., making it a globally competitive event. Their award includes five hours of mentoring with a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS), publication of their solution on the World Built Environment Forum (WBEF) pages, and a speaking slot at the next global World Built Environment Forum (WBEF) week.
The victorious duo, both pursuing the Bachelor of Quantity Surveying (Hons) programme, proposed a groundbreaking solution to harness electricity from rainwater through green hydrogen. This innovative approach holds the promise of significantly reducing carbon emissions in homes, aligning with the overarching goal of contributing to a sustainable built environment.
Reflecting on their journey, Jen Yee emphasised the meticulous process involved in crafting their winning essay, spanning weeks of dedicated research. “It took us around three months to delve into the complexities of the topic, gather relevant data, and articulate our insights in a cohesive and impactful manner,” she shared.
Jia Hui, on the other hand highlighted the key steps involved in their solution. “We collect rainwater, purify it using a water still, and then convert it into green hydrogen with the help of sunlight. This green hydrogen can be stored and utilised in a fuel cell to generate electricity for homes, contributing to greener and more energy-efficient living,” she explained.
The students acknowledged the crucial role played by their mentor. “Ts Ng Teck Wei, played a pivotal role in guiding us through the competition. He provided valuable insights, directed our research efforts and offered constructive feedback. His expertise and encouragement were instrumental in shaping the depth and quality of our submission.”
Jia Hui emphasised the strength of their programme in preparing them for such competitions. Our programme provided us a strong foundation in project management, cost estimation, and understanding the key elements for proposing sustainable solutions,” she said.
The team concurred that it was not an easy victory for them as Jen Yee shared: “We faced the challenge of balancing in-depth research with the importance of clear communication. To tackle this, we created a well-organised timeline, assigned tasks efficiently, and made sure to collaborate regularly.”
Both students stressed the importance of participating in such competitions for personal and professional growth. They advised future participants to start early, conduct thorough research, foster collaboration with mentors and peers, and be innovative and passionate in proposing solutions. “Challenges are inevitable, but they also present opportunities to learn and refine ideas. Most importantly, believe in the impact your contributions can make towards a more sustainable future in built environment,” they concluded.
