USM CGSS X TZU CHI PAGAMO 2026 CONNECTS KAMPAR AND MUAR IN THE 6TH NATIONAL FINAL ON ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ONLINE VIDEO GAME COMPETITION
KAMPAR, PERAK, 12 September 2026 – The 6th USM CGSS x Tzu Chi PaGamO National Final on Environmental Education Online Video Game Competition (Malaysia) 2026 successfully concluded on 12 September 2026 which brought together young environmental enthusiasts from across Malaysia for a national final that combined environmental education, disaster preparedness, technology and digital gaming.
The National Finals were held simultaneously at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Kampar, Perak and SMJK (C) Chung Hwa, Muar, Johor with both venues connected virtually throughout the event. Speeches, ceremonies and activities taking place at either venue were broadcast live to the other location, creating an integrated national event that brought participants, educators, guests and organisers together despite the geographical distance.
The competition was the culmination of a nationwide journey that began with 6,711 students from 460 schools, followed by a state-level selection rounds before 635 participants from eight states advanced to the National Finals. The participating states were Perak, Penang, Kedah, Johor, Selangor, Terengganu, Melaka and Negeri Sembilan. Following the National Finals, 110 participants qualified for the World Cup Final which comprised of 50 from the primary school category, 50 from the secondary school category and 10 from the adult category.
Among the distinguished guests present at the Kampar venue were Dato’ Choo Beng Kai, Founder and Chairman of Masmeyer Foundation; Mr. Siow Eik Kwang, representative of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Merits Society Malaysia and PaGamO; Associate Professor Dr. Ng Theam Foo, Deputy Director of the Centre for Global Sustainability Studies (CGSS) as well as Coordinator of Environmental Protection and Education Hub (EPEHub), CGSS, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM); Professor Dr. Au Yong Hui Nee, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Finance, Teh Hong Piow, UTAR; Madam Lee Bee Choo, representative from Green Educators’ Workgroup Penang (GREW) as a co-organizer representative; Dr. Janaka Low Chee Kong, Principal of ViTrox College, representing ViTrox Foundation; and Mr Ting Chee Heng, Chairperson of Buddhist Tzu Chi Merits Society Malaysia (Perak Branch).
Meanwhile, distinguished guests present at Muar for the opening ceremony was Dr. Mohd Sukri Shafie, Chief Research Officer of Centre For Education & Training In Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency & Green Technology (CETREE), CGSS USM; Mr Chee Keng Hiang, Chairman of the Board of Directors Chung Hwa High School; Mr Chiong Cheong Kang, Principal of Chung Hwa High School; Madam Loh Siew Cheng, Chief Executive Officer of Tzu Chi Melaka Foundation; and Madam Soh Swee Choo, Chairperson of Tzu Chi Muar Foundation.
The opening programme began at the Kampar venue with a welcoming speech by Mr. Siow Eik Kwang, representing the Buddhist Tzu Chi Merits Society Malaysia and PaGamO. The programme then connected live to the Muar venue, where Dr. Mohd Sukri Shafie delivered his speech which was simultaneously broadcast to the Kampar venue which allowed participants and guests at both locations to follow the session in real time. Following the speeches, the official opening ceremony was held at UTAR Kampar, with the VIPs present participating in an opening gimmick. Dato’ Choo Beng Kai and Mr. Siow Eik Kwang jointly struck the ceremonial gong which officially marks the opening of the sixth National Finals with the represent of all VIP guests on the stage. The ceremony was simultaneously viewed by participants and guests at the Muar venue through the live connection.
The event also featured sustainability and environmental education exhibition booths at both venues. At UTAR Kampar, Tzu Chi presented booths highlighting sustainability practices and environmental awareness. Meanwhile, the Muar venue featured booths by both Tzu Chi and CETREE, USM which provides participants and visitors with additional opportunities to explore environmental protection, disaster preparedness and sustainable living.
Following the opening ceremony, participants proceeded to the highly anticipated PaGamO environmental education e-sports competition. The competition uses the PaGamO online gamification platform to integrate game-based learning with environmental and disaster preparedness education. Through strategic gameplay, resource management, virtual city-building and quiz-based challenges, participants were required to apply their knowledge while making decisions within a competitive digital environment.
The competition covered a broad range of themes related to environmental protection and sustainability, including water resources, ocean pollution, climate change, disaster preparedness, circular economy, energy conservation, air pollution, recycling, food resources, current affairs, net-zero emissions and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The integration of these themes into an online game provided young participants with an interactive approach to learning about environmental issues. During the competition, participants also took turns visiting the environmental education exhibition areas, where various games, displays and hands-on activities further reinforced concepts related to environmental protection and sustainable living.
The programme also emphasised the importance of bringing environmental knowledge beyond the competition itself. Through the combination of digital gaming, exhibitions and hands-on activities, participants were encouraged to connect what they learned during the programme with their daily lives, schools and families.
The National Finals culminated with a closing speech and remarks by YB Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) Malaysia, delivered from the Muar venue and broadcast live to the Kampar venue. The live connection once again brought both venues together as the National Finals came to a close. YB Syed Ibrahim praised the organisers, co-organisers, sponsors, volunteers and all those involved in organising a very impactful event that related closely to his ministry about environmental sustainability and climate change. He emphasised that the event should continue annually and expecting more participants will be involved in the next year competition which a full support from his ministry.
The competition also produced notable results across the different categories. In the Primary School Category (Category A), participants from Kedah, Perak and Melaka secured several positions among the Top 10, while the Secondary School Category (Category B) saw participants from Melaka, Johor, Kedah and Penang among the top performers. In the Adult Category (Category C), the top five positions included participants from Perak, Kedah, Johor and Penang.
The journey of the participants reflects the broader educational purpose of the programme. From 6,711 students nationwide, to 635 participants at the National Finals, and ultimately 110 qualified for the international final, i.e., World Cup Final which will be held in next year. The progression represents not only a competitive selection process but also an opportunity for thousands of students to engage with environmental protection, disaster preparedness, climate change, resource conservation and sustainable lifestyles. The 110 who qualified to the World Cup where 35 from Perak, 31 from Kedah, 19 from Melaka, 15 from Penang and 10 from Johor.
Overall, the 6th USM CGSS x PaGamO National Environmental Education Online Video Game Competition demonstrated how technology, gamification, environmental education and experiential activities can be integrated to create an engaging learning platform for younger generations in promoting environmental stewardship while the simultaneous connection between Kampar and Muar further demonstrated how digital technology can bring communities together across geographical boundaries.
The event was not simply a competition for academic or gaming achievement but also as a platform to encourage students to transform environmental knowledge into everyday action. By bringing together schools, universities, environmental organisations, educators, families and young people, the programme contributes towards nurturing a generation that is more aware of environmental challenges and prepared to play an active role in building a sustainable future.
SDGs: 4, 7, 13 & 17
Original Text: Hong Kheng Jhun, EPEHub@CGSS, USM
Photos: Yeow Shuen Yi, Green Ambassador, EPEHub@CGSS, USM; Dr. Mohd Sukri Shafie, CETREE, CGSS, USM