Sandun Dalpadatu received his award from Prof Kenneth Lee and UNIK Executive Vice President Mr Balbeer Singh Khaira.

“In my scenario, it is world water day in 2040, and a billion people have no access to water,” she said.

“The solution is something I call the ‘Drought of Life’ – where when a sponge soaked with chemicals is dropped into contaminated water, it becomes clean. The cost of a sponge is US$2,” the 23-year-old explained.

Sandun Dalpatadu, 28, imagined an automated targeted disease treatment.

“The treatment has DNA or RNA molecules that bind to viruses to activate the immune system,” the BRIMS PhD student, who won in the postgraduate category, said.

Jenna and Sandun each won an iPad and an internship stint with event sponsor Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD). The event was supported by the Special Innovation Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department.

Monash University Sunway campus Executive Director Mr Phang Koon Tuck in his welcome address said there were many objectives to the collaboration including the promotion of a partnership between industry and university, apart from encouraging innovative thinking among undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Jenna Loo Li Ling, who won in the undergraduate category, joins fellow challengers after receiving her award.

One of the presenters in action.

“The competition also promotes industry involvement in the development of the university’s curriculum. As a leading research university, we are keen to collaborate with industry,” he said.

The campus’ objective, he added, was to develop questioning minds and encourage students to think outside the box.

Head of Pharmacy at the Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Prof Kenneth Lee, praised contestants for their creativity and effort.

“Pharmacy has achieved yet another target, which is to form a collaborative effort with the Government that would benefit students and all involved,” he said.