KUCHING, 22 NOVEMBER 2025 – The Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) today celebrated the successful completion of the GirlsCode Challenge National Final 2025, marking the programme’s fifth anniversary as a platform dedicated to empowering young girls in technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
The closing ceremony, held at Makeramai Makerspace, Plaza Merdeka Shopping Centre was graced by Dr. Cheong Yaw Liang, Head of Innovation Division, Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD), together with Mr. Khairool Adzelan, Acting Head of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, SDEC, and Mr. Teo Yuang Teck, Technovation Girls Malaysia Chapter Ambassador and Director of Realfun Academy Sdn. Bhd.
This year’s National Final brought together 12 teams from across Malaysia, comprising six junior teams’ finalist (primary schools) and six senior teams’ finalist (secondary schools) selected as the top female-led innovators through regional rounds nationwide.
The GirlsCode Challenge is designed to inspire female students to develop mobile app solutions addressing community issues, while building their skills in design thinking, coding, entrepreneurship, and pitching. The programme mirrors the structure of the Technovation Challenge, an acclaimed global tech entrepreneurship competition for girls.
Marking its fifth anniversary, the uniqueness of this year’s competition is the introduction of AI integration, giving students hands-on experience with emerging technology. The 2025 edition was organised by SDEC, with Realfun Learning Centre serving as the programme’s delivery partner.
According to Mr. Khairool Adzelan, the GirlsCode Challenge plays an important role in shaping the next generation of female talent in STEM and digital innovation.
“Congratulations to all our finalists. Reaching this stage is already a remarkable achievement. It shows your ability to create meaningful solutions that captured the judges’ attention,” he said.
He added that diversity is a key driver of innovation, and that GirlsCode provides the platform for young women to explore coding, entrepreneurship, and AI with confidence.
“GirlsCode exists to bridge the gender gap and to show that women belong in the world of coding, design, entrepreneurship, and AI. When women create technology, the outcomes are more inclusive and impactful,” he said.
He also encouraged participants to continue developing their ideas beyond the competition.
“SDEC has innovation and incubator programmes that can help you take projects further, refine your prototypes, and explore market opportunities. Success is built through resilience, learning, and belief in your vision. Power to the girls,” he added.
The ceremony concluded with the announcement of the winners for both categories:
Junior Category:
- Champion: Guardian Angels (SJKC Chung Hua Krokop, Sarawak)
- 1st Runner Up: Resilient Rangers (SJKC Chung Hua Miri, Sarawak)
- 2nd Runner Up: Kwang Chien Team 1 (SJKC Kwang Chien, Sarawak)
Senior Category:
- Champion: Digital Divas (SMK Lutong, Sarawak)
- 1st Runner Up: Code Purify (SMK Sungai Tapang, Sarawak)
- 2nd Runner Up: Codeva (SMK Green Road, Sarawak)
The GirlsCode Challenge continues to grow in national participation and impact, equipping young Malaysian girls with the mindset, skills, and confidence to become future innovators and contributors to Malaysia’s digital economy.
For more information about the programme, visit the official website at girlscode.net.