The ASEAN Foundation, in collaboration with SAP, successfully conducted the ninth ASEAN Data Science Explorers (ASEAN DSE) 2025 Regional Finals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 22 students from secondary and tertiary institutions across the 10 ASEAN Member States presented their data-driven proposals and innovative solutions to address socio-economic issues in the region.
Using SAP Analytics Cloud, participants showcased their ability to harness data and develop mobile applications for impactful solutions towards key socio-economic issues across ASEAN. Additionally, focusing on six Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that include “Zero Hunger” (SDG 2), “Good Health and Well-being” (SDG 3), “Clean Water and Sanitation” (SDG 6), “Sustainable Cities and Communities” (SDG 11), “Responsible Consumption and Production” (SDG 12), and “Climate Action” (SDG 13).
Team DataMinions from Lao PDR was officially named the Regional Winner of ASEAN DSE 2025 for presenting an innovative solution named Namjai Smart Water Tank that filters and detects harmful substances in water, also alerts households, NGOs, and authorities to maintain clean water. This water tank was created to address the clean water issue in ASEAN, particularly Lao PDR, Cambodia, and the Philippines. In addition, Team Mamamamoodeng from Thailand and Team MyKXLab from Malaysia came as the first and second runner-ups.
“We are beyond grateful to become the regional winner of ASEAN DSE 2025, seeing the projects of other finalists was truly inspiring and motivated us to further develop our initiatives to create a long lasting impact on ASEAN. The friendships and invaluable connections forged during this program will not be temporary but will stay with us as we move forward and further improve ourselves as a member of the ASEAN community,” said Palinya Sengdalavong (Singapore University of Technology and Design) and Kounlasatty Manivong (Singapore Management University), members of Team DataMinions.
Starting this year, there were two categories from Malaysia that succeeded into the Regional Finals. Firstly, team MyKXLab, consisting of Chiam Kai Li and Lee Xin Yee, was from the tertiary category team. Together, they showcased Green Circular Credit Scoring (GCCS) and GreenLoop to support low plastic recycling rates and digital circular economy across ASEAN. “In 2024, ASEAN Member States declared a unified commitment to tackle plastic pollution across the entire life cycle. We hope that by 2030, both GCCS and GreenLopp can enhance lifestyle traceability, promote circular economy adoption, and increase ASEAN’s recycling rate. And eventually, it can lower the ocean plastic waste pollution across the region,” said Chiam Kai Li and Lee Xin Yee, members of Team MyKXLab and also students of Monash University Malaysia.
Another participating team came from the secondary category team called Team Legendary Production. Led by Lim Xin Ying and Lim Wei You, they launched a mobile application called SmartWaste to achieve one mission, building a sustainable ASEAN through smart waste management. “We see that until now, people of ASEAN throw away about 411,022 tonnes of solid waste every day, and unfortunately, we do not capture the recycling potential, making most waste end up in landfills. Through SmartWaste we want to bridge barriers for those who do not have time, those who do not have a waste system management facility or service, and those who do not see recycling as a need. So in the future, we can encourage them to recycle and make potential profit from it, making landfills have less waste,” stated Lim Xin Ying and Lim Wei You from Team Legendary Production who were representing SMJK Yok Bin.
Nowadays, data-driven skills are essential for the future workforce. According to the report published by MarketsandMarkets (2022), the global data science platform market is projected to grow from USD 95.3 billion in 2021 to USD 322.9 billion in 2026. Although the number of new jobs that require proficiency in digital and improved skills has risen across ASEAN, governments still question the readiness of their young workforces to meet these demands. Based on a recent study conducted by ASEAN Foundation and Google, Jobs Market and Skills Demand for the Future (2022), it was revealed that of the 1,080 surveyed underserved youth in the region, 72.2% have no or low levels of advanced digital skills. Answering this issue, the ASEAN DSE programme aims to bridge this gap by equipping participants with essential data analytics skills, ensuring they remain competitive in an evolving job market.
The 2025 Regional Finals were also significantly bolstered by the support of the Ministry of Education Malaysia, acting as a key partner in line with the ASEAN Chairmanship 2025 event held on 26-28 October 2025. The Ministry facilitated the participation of high-level delegates from all 10 ASEAN Member States and VIP guests. Their endless support highlights the critical importance of fostering digital literacy and readiness amongst ASEAN youth for sustainable development in the region. Furthermore, the Ministry’s endorsement was instrumental in elevating the event’s profile, especially from Ybhg. Dr. Mohd. Azam Ahmad, Director General, Ministry of Education Malaysia.
“The ASEAN DSE programme is a prime example of how regional collaboration can drive innovation and build critical future skills amongst our youth. Over the past nine years, the programme has played a significant role in advancing digital literacy in Malaysia, impacting students and educators. By aligning with the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025 (Higher Education), this initiative is equipping our youth with tools needed to thrive in the modern workforce and contribute to the sustainable development of our region. We look forward to continuing this partnership, as it prepares our young people to lead us into a more digitally connected and prosperous future,” said Ybhg. Dr. Mohd. Azam Ahmad, Director General, Ministry of Education Malaysia.
Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation, emphasised the programme’s pivotal role, “The ASEAN DSE programme is a key initiative to nurture young talents across our region. By providing them with digital tools and data skills they need, we empower them to think critically and innovate solutions to real-world problems, helping both their personal growth and the development of ASEAN as a whole.”
As a global leader in enterprise applications and business AI, SAP is determined to prepare young people for the complexities of a rapidly evolving world by focusing on three essential skill sets: entrepreneurial skills, digital skills, and 21st-century skills.
“SAP’s collaboration with the ASEAN Foundation showcases our strong commitment to empowering young people across the region, to providing our next generation of leaders with the skills they need to thrive in today’s evolving, data-driven world. With this initiative, we are helping to foster innovative tech talent across Southeast Asia so that they can drive impactful change across Southeast Asia and help organisations in these countries accelerate to innovate,” said Liher Urbizu, President and Managing Director, SAP Southeast Asia.
Since its launch in 2017, the ASEAN Data Science Explorers (ASEAN DSE) programme has empowered more than 111,000 young people aged 15 to 30, including those from underserved communities, and engaged over 3,300 educators across the region, with women making up 55% of the beneficiaries. By equipping young talent with digital competencies, the programme supports the ASEAN Work Plan on Youth 2021-2025, ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2021-2025, the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025, and the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework, which seek to promote the development of a digitally-enabled ASEAN economy and foster growth across the region.
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