Group photo of participants, judges, and organizers at the Hult Prize On-Campus Finals 2025, City University Malaysia.
Cyberjaya, 28 February 2025 – In an inspiring celebration of innovation and impact-driven entrepreneurship, City University Malaysia Cyberjaya Campus successfully hosted its first-ever Hult Prize On-Campus Programme Finals. Held in conjunction with Entrepreneurship Week 2025, the event brought together passionate student innovators eager to present transformative solutions under the global theme “Urban Development & Sustainability.”
Opening remarks by AL NAHARI YUSRA HAMED YOUSEF, City U Hult Prize On-Campus Programme Director, student of Faculty of Creative Industries
Dubbed the “Nobel Prize for Students,” the Hult Prize is a prestigious global competition that challenges university students to create sustainable, for-profit business ideas that tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues. This milestone event at City University Malaysia was a testament to the university’s commitment to empowering young changemakers through entrepreneurship, creativity, and sustainability.
The line of Judges. From the left : Ashraf Ataia , Head of the Sudanese community of Malaysia, Azlan Airpin, Acting Dean Faculty of Engineering; Joan Aubrey Johannes, Lecturer CLS; Sallina Mohamed Salim, Deputy Registrar City University Malaysia; Simi Anak Gendi, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Business & Management.
Organized entirely by a dedicated team of student leaders and volunteers, the event highlighted the power of student initiative and collaboration. The judging panel featured a mix of seasoned lecturers and successful entrepreneurs from City University and its partner organizations, bringing real-world insight and constructive feedback to the competition.
A total of 11 talented student teams took the stage to present their innovative ventures. Each team addressed critical urban sustainability challenges with fresh perspectives and well-developed business models. After a highly competitive selection process, two standout teams emerged as winners.
First place winners: Eco Bridge
Champion: Eco Bridge
Taking home the First place, Eco Bridge wowed the judges with their forward-thinking infrastructure concept. Team members Tolbaev Muntasir Muradilzhanovich and Amanbaev Kasym Nurbekovich proposed a sustainable bridge construction model that utilizes recycled and upcycled materials. Their project aims to offer cost-effective, eco-friendly solutions to urban connectivity while significantly reducing carbon footprints through the integration of green technologies. The judges commended the project’s feasibility, environmental impact, and scalability—making Eco Bridge a true standout in sustainable urban innovation.
Runner-Up: Tela
Runner-Up: Tela
In second place, Tela captivated the audience with its vision for a more inclusive creative economy. Spearheaded by Lina Khalid Abdalgader, Raneem Kayser Mustafa Saied, and Khakimov Sherzod Sotivoldi Ugli, Tela introduced an online marketplace tailored for creatives—especially women entrepreneurs—to launch their own shops with minimal cost and no bureaucratic hurdles. Tela’s mission to empower women through accessible entrepreneurship and foster a community of creativity and independence deeply resonated with the judges and attendees alike.
With this win, Eco Bridge now advances to the regional level of the Hult Prize competition, joining other university finalists from around the world for a chance to make it to the prestigious global finals. This marks a significant achievement for City University Malaysia, underscoring the university’s role as a breeding ground for future innovators and impact leaders.
The success of this year’s On-Campus Programme Finals marks a new chapter in City University Malaysia’s efforts to nurture entrepreneurial excellence. The event not only celebrated the brilliance and resilience of student innovators but also reinforced the belief that sustainable development starts with bold ideas and passionate individuals.
The next Hult Prize On-Campus Programme at City University Malaysia is expected to return in October 2025, continuing the legacy of cultivating purpose-driven change among students.
For more information about City University Malaysia and its programs, please visit our website, City University Malaysia.
