The Global Innovators Challenge 2026 concluded its successful run with a closing ceremony at the Inspiring Hub of Universiti Brunei Darussalam, celebrating regional student and researcher innovation.

Running from November 2 to 4 under the theme 'Shaping Tomorrow: Innovation Without Boundaries', the competition brought together 42 participants across 13 teams from 16 institutions representing Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Permanent Secretary for Industry Awang Mohammad Harris bin Brigadier General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Haji Ibrahim served as the guest of honor, joined by UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr. Hazri bin Haji Kifle.

Among the top winners was team NERDS 2.0, which clinched the Student Innovators Award (Tertiary & Undergraduate) category and a cash prize of BND 1,000 for their computer vision-based poultry monitoring system project, Birdseye. Other major category winners included the ReGen Group for their postgraduate project ReFacile, and BRUBIOCOAT for their academic-led biodegradable fruit preservative project.