Monash University Malaysia students recognised across four winning teams at SC’s RIFAR University Challenge
The winners for the Marathon category of the RIFAR University Challenge Showcase.
The university was represented across four award-winning teams at the Securities Commission Malaysia’s (SC) River Flooding Adaptation & Resilience (RIFAR) University Challenge Showcase. Team Blues Bond, fully consisting of Monash University Malaysia students, was awarded Second Runner-Up in the Marathon category and received RM10,000. It was one of three teams supported by a cross-school mentorship initiative involving academics from the School of Engineering, the School of Business, and the School of Science. The mentors guided students in developing integrated technical and blended-finance solutions for climate adaptation, using flood-prone Taman Sri Muda as a real-world case study.
Students from the university were also represented in the other award-winning teams. Team BDR, comprising students from Monash University Malaysia and Universiti Malaya, emerged as the Marathon champion. Team Anak Sungai, which included students from Monash University Malaysia, Sunway University, the National University of Singapore, and the University of Hong Kong, secured the First Runner-Up position.
Team Ban Banjir, consisting of students from Monash University Malaysia, Sunway College and the University of Nottingham Malaysia, became champions for the Sprint category.
Launched in April 2026, the RIFAR Challenge attracted more than 400 students from 35 universities in Malaysia and abroad. Participants attended expert-led webinars and visited Taman Sri Muda to understand its exposure to river, rainfall and tidal flooding risks. Around 250 representatives from government agencies, financial institutions, academia and the climate community attended the showcase.
The showcase was also attended by YAM Tengku Zatashah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Princess of Selangor and environmental advocate, who spoke about climate literacy and the role of young people in strengthening Malaysia’s resilience.
Through the RIFAR Challenge, Monash University Malaysia students were able to apply their knowledge beyond the classroom while contributing practical ideas towards a more climate-resilient Malaysia.