The trip of glory

By Azeef Zafri bin Shahrul Izham

“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.”

— Michael Jordan

This quote perfectly captures the journey of Team MyCel. What began as a simple idea eventually became an unforgettable experience that brought four students from Kolej Yayasan Saad to the international stage.

How it all began

The journey began when Ahmad Aqif Luqman, Nur Adlina Syahirah, Nurul Qaisahana, and Qamelea formed Team MyCel to compete in the British International Education Association (BIEA) STEM Competition 2026. The road to London was far from easy. The team spent months developing ideas, preparing reports, and working tirelessly to earn their Star STEM accreditation. Their hard work paid off when they were selected as finalists, earning the opportunity to represent Malaysia in London, United Kingdom.

The road to London

Competing against participants from the United Kingdom, South Korea, China, Macao, Oman, and Saudi Arabia was both exciting and challenging. As the only team representing Malaysia, Team MyCel embraced the responsibility of showcasing the creativity, innovation, and resilience of Malaysian students on an international stage.

The moment that mattered

The competition was held at Mercato Metropolitano and attracted over 1,200 visitors. Team MyCel presented their innovation, the Waste2Worth durian peel processing model, engaging with visitors and sharing their vision for sustainable innovation. A major highlight was the visit by Associate Professor Dr Mohd Hanafi Ahmad Damanhuri, the Minister of Education of Malaysia in London, who stopped by their booth to learn more about the project. The team also organised the Lunch Box Challenge, a community engagement activity focusing on food safety and security.

The proud achievement

After months of preparation and dedication, Team MyCel achieved remarkable success, winning both the Champion Award and the Best Report Award. More than a victory, the achievement reflected perseverance, teamwork, and a shared commitment to excellence. It was also a proud moment for Malaysia, as the team successfully represented the nation on the global stage.

Beyond the competition

The experience extended beyond the competition itself. The team attended the AI & Youth Voice Forum at University College London, gaining valuable insights into technology and youth leadership.

The journey to London was never just about winning a competition. It was about learning, growing, overcoming challenges, and creating lifelong memories. While one chapter has ended, it marks the beginning of many more achievements to come for Team MyCel.

Another memorable highlight was an invitation to the High Commission of Malaysia in London, where the team was recognised for their achievement and shared their experience with members of the Malaysian community abroad.

Until we meet again

As the journey came to an end, the team bid farewell to friends from around the world. Despite coming from different countries and cultures, they were united by a shared passion for innovation and learning.

The journey to London was never just about winning a competition. It was about learning, growing, overcoming challenges, and creating lifelong memories. While one chapter has ended, it marks the beginning of many more achievements to come for Team MyCel.

Words from Project Manager, Nur Adlina Syahirah

As the project manager of Mycel in BIEA Stem Competition 2026, I am really proud of how much we have achieved although we had nothing to begin with. Many doubted our hardwork, but we managed to represent Malaysia and bring back many winning awards such as the Champion Award and Best Report Award.

To my beloved team members, I would like to say that without you all, we couldn’t have gone this far and I’m truly thankful to have such a supportive and loving team.

My team faced many ups and downs throughout this journey, yet we are really grateful for this special opportunity. We would like to thank our teacher-in-charge, Sir Dzulkarnain Farhan, for guiding us in this competition. Besides our school’s and parents’ help, our sponsorship has helped funded and aided us in this journey. All in all, this success would not have been achieved without everyone’s endless support and we stayed motivated without giving up.

Words from Teacher Advisor, Sir Farhan Dzulkarnain

Today, I just want to share how proud and happy I am for these four students for what they have achieved in the BIEA STEM Competition 2026 Final Round in London.

I still remember when Aqif first asked me to be their advisor. Honestly, at that time, I did not really know how big this competition was. I just sat with them, listened to their idea about helping durian waste decay faster, and guided them little by little on finding the right information. I even remember telling them that their idea had so much potential, and with enough time and opportunity, it could become something very big.

At first, I did have some doubts. London felt far, and the competition sounded like such a big stage. But the more I worked with them, the more I saw their effort, excitement and determination. Slowly, my doubt turned into belief. To Adlina, Aqif, Qaisahana and Qaseh, I hope this achievement becomes a reminder that you are capable of more than you think. Keep this spirit with you, wherever you go after this.

And always remember, the bigger the risk, the bigger the reward.