National Engineering Honour for TARCian

Demonstrating the high calibre of technical expertise fostered at TAR UMT, Lee Hao Yuen recently clinched the Second Prize at the prestigious 9th Tan Sri Ir. Hj Yusoff Ibrahim FYP Competition 2025. Organised by the Institute of Engineers Malaysia (IEM), this annual national competition serves as a rigorous platform designed to encourage engineering excellence and sustainability among undergraduate students across the country.

The competition is highly selective, as each participating institution is permitted to nominate only one student per engineering discipline. Hao Yuen, a student in the Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering with Honours programme, represented TAR UMT against a field of 33 participants from various universities across Malaysia. There are no categories in the competition, which means that all engineering disciplines compete directly against one another. This required Hao Yuen to demonstrate the universal value and technical robustness of his work to a board of judges comprising both lecturers and industry engineers.

His winning project, titled ‘Design and fabrication of 3D-printed wrist splint for wrist fracture,’ addresses a critical intersection of mechanical engineering and medical application. His research provided an in-depth study of the mechanical characteristics of 3D-printed splints by evaluating different materials, loading conditions, loading angles, and splint lengths. A key highlight of the project involved the optimisation of the 3D-printed wrist splint to reduce material usage without compromising the mechanical strength of the device. The concept was suggested by his lecturer, Dr Sara Lee Kit Yee from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, which aligned with Lee's interest in medical supplies that require mechanical engineering involvement. Furthermore, his personal experience volunteering as a medic led him to discover the vital practical applications of wrist splints during emergencies.

Reflecting on his win, the former student of Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan Chong Hwa, Jalan Gombak, expressed immense pride in being a student of TAR UMT. He credited the University’s exceptional faculty for providing guidance that allowed him to learn knowledge far beyond standard textbooks. Hao Yuen specifically highlighted the mentorship of Dr Sara, who supported him throughout his project and helped shape his professional development.