Kuala Lumpur University of Science and Technology (KLUST) has achieved an international milestone by winning Second Prize in the Enterprise Category at the 4th China–ASEAN Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, held on 25 June 2026 in Vientiane, Laos. Competing in the event for the first time, KLUST’s AI-Empowered Innovation Manufacturing project secured third place overall in the Enterprise Category, highlighting the University’s growing expertise in artificial intelligence, intelligent manufacturing, and innovation-driven research.
The competition was organised under the guidance and support of the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China, the ASEAN Secretariat, the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI), the Ministry of Technology and Communications of Laos, the Ministry of Education and Sports of Laos, the Mission of China to ASEAN, and the China Science and Technology Exchange Center. It was organised by the Department of Science and Technology of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (China–ASEAN Technology Transfer Center).
Held under the theme “Innovation Cooperation, Making Dreams Come True,” this year’s competition focused on the application of artificial intelligence across diverse industries and innovation ecosystems. A total of 552 projects from 41 countries and regions took part in the competition, including teams from ASEAN member states as well as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Pakistan, Ghana, Fiji, and other countries, demonstrating the competition’s expanding global influence.
KLUST fielded five teams in this year’s competition. Among them, the AI-Empowered Innovation Manufacturing project successfully advanced through multiple rounds of evaluation to become one of only 20 finalists, alongside outstanding teams from China, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and other participating countries.
During the Grand Final, each finalist delivered a 7-minute project presentation followed by a 5-minute question-and-answer session before an international judging panel. Projects were assessed based on technological innovation, market potential, commercial viability, and business model feasibility. KLUST’s team impressed the judges with its innovative solution, well-defined commercialisation strategy, and confident presentation, earning strong recognition from the judging panel.
Since its launch in 2022, the China–ASEAN Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition has become one of the region’s leading platforms for innovation and entrepreneurship. In 2025, it was recognised by the United Nations as an Outstanding South-South and Triangular Cooperation Practice supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The third edition was also included in the 2024–2025 China–ASEAN Year of People-to-People Exchanges Achievement Report published by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was recognised as one of the Top Ten China–ASEAN People-to-People Exchange Projects.
This achievement represents an important milestone in KLUST’s commitment to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and international collaboration. It also reflects the University’s continued efforts to strengthen partnerships across China and ASEAN in research, technology transfer, and talent development while encouraging students and researchers to participate in prestigious international competitions.
Moving forward, KLUST will continue to strengthen its innovation ecosystem, deepen regional collaboration, and nurture globally minded graduates equipped with the knowledge, creativity, and entrepreneurial mindset to contribute to sustainable development across ASEAN and beyond.