NANNING, 9 January 2023 – The ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation (COSTI), in partnership with the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) of China, announced “Dr Hearing” and “Low Carbon Combustion Device” as the winners of the China-ASEAN Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition 2022.
In his remarks, Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Economic Community Satvinder Singh stated, “Innovative entrepreneurs should have the ability to turn great ideas into business opportunities, enabled by Science, Technology and Innovation (STI). Enterprise, entrepreneurship and STI are no longer separable. What we need now is a lucid ecosystem that empowers innovative entrepreneurs to actively pitch ideas, share tacit knowledge, develop a cross-border network, and scale up innovations in a platform like our international competition today.”
Zhang Guangjun, Vice Minister of MOST China, expressed his appreciation for the event. “The competition is committed to implementing the consensus on the establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership reached by leaders of China and ASEAN at the ASEAN-China Special Summit Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, and has promoted exchanges and cooperation on science and technology innovation between China and ASEAN countries, enhanced the regional innovation capacity of China and ASEAN. It will be conducive to upgrading the Belt and Road Science and Technology Innovation Initiative. It is a typical case of China-ASEAN scientific and technological cooperation,” he said.
Competing in the Enterprise Group category, the “Dr Hearing” project invented a hearing aid that can help to improve ear health through directional sound, an exemplary transnational cooperation with the project team from China, Singapore, and Brunei Darussalam. The second prize went to three project teams, “Castomize” from Singapore, “Intelligent Maritime” from China, and “Robot Positioning and Inspection System” from China. The third prize went to Changing “Sky-high-priced Medicine” to “Civilian Medicine”: Microbial Synthesis of the Cardiac Glycoside Drug Digitoxin from China and Pakistan, CheckinMe from Cambodia, Aero-aquatic Trans-domain Reconfigurable Aircraft from China, A New Energy-saving Temperature Control System for Communication Base Station-High Dimensional Thermal Management System from China, Converting Waste to Farmland-Creating an Emerging Industrial Chain for Green Conversion of Agricultural and Forestry Wastes from China and Modernization of Palm Culture and Tradition from Myanmar.
“Castomize” is a 4D printed cast that is more lightweight, waterproof, and has better breathability than traditional cast. “Intelligent Maritime” provides simulation training, intelligent assistance and unmanned control that reduces human error and costs while improving maritime exploration. “Robot Positioning and Inspection System” is a 3D machine vision system that provides higher precision, increased efficiency, higher resolution, and faster data processing time for various industries.
In the Team Group category, the first prize was awarded to “Low Carbon Combustion Device” project, an invention that combines data for ground-air space and new energy system applications to reduce carbon emissions. The second prize went to three teams, namely “FormaCyte Therapeutics” from Singapore, “Instant Digital Dental Restoration System” from China, and “Brain Analytics” from Viet Nam. The third prize went to WILD PLANET-IP of Global Adventure Travel from China and Italy, Steel Slag-Based Carbon Capture and Storage by HiGee Mineralization from China and Malaysia, Kelp Farm Career (KFC) from China, Green Agriculture Development Engine-Water-Retaining Gel Type Slow and Controlled-Release from China, AI Big Data Platform of Agricultural Internet of Things Based on Blockchain from China, The Eyes of ASEAN-A Service Provider Focusing on the Cooperation between Chinese and ASEAN Enterprises from China.
The “FormaCyte Therapeutics” project treats Diabetes through injection-free cellular implant, while “Instant Digital Dental Restoration System” allows people to smile confidently by inventing an automatic restoration design and rapid fabrication materials. “Brain Analytics” improves Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis by using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to analyse Magnetic Resonance Imaging brain images.
The competition consisted of three rounds of selection. The competing teams showcased innovative solution with various products in the fields of modern agriculture, bio-medicine and health, digital economy, energy conservation, and environmental protection. The competition highlighted promising entrepreneurs, opening many doors for collaboration while enriching their entrepreneurship and innovativeness.
Since the launch of the competition in August 2022, a total of 71 groups from ASEAN Member States and China were selected for the semi-finals. After intense competition in the semi-final round, 20 teams (10 in the enterprise group and 10 in the team group) competed for the final crown. Winners from ASEAN and China shared the prize money totaling RMB402,000 (around US$57,600). MOST China sponsored the prizes.
“Congratulations to all the winners for their work in the field of science and technology,“ said Ambassador of China to ASEAN Hou Yanqi. “Your outstanding achievements will enhance the innovative vitality of China and ASEAN and contribute to the building of a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful, amicable home and a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.”
”The competition encourages scientific and technological innovation and entrepreneurship, promotes the exchanges of innovation factors such as scientific and technological achievements, financial capital, talent teams, information and data, and enhances regional innovation capacity” said Li Guozhong, Director-General of China-ASEAN Technology Transfer Center (CATCC).
“As the only state-level technology transfer agency for ASEAN in China, CATTC is committed to lead efforts in promoting advanced applicable technology transfer and innovation cooperation between China and ASEAN countries, and we will continue to provide all-round services for the landing of entries in China and ASEAN countries,” he added.
The competition is set to return this year.
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