WICE 2020: statement by Chief Judge Myocho Kan

Chief Judge Myocho Kan issued an official statement at the end of the 2020 World Invention Competition and Exhibition (WICE)

Foremost, congratulations to Indonesian Young Scientist Association (IYSA) and SEGI College Malaysia for the joint effort in making the World Invention Competition and Exhibition (WICE) 2020 a great success. Indeed, it is a wise initiative to bring cheers to the scientific community amidst the COVID19 pandemic, that STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) continue to progress in such trying times today.

The participation from 13 countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Turkey, United States of America, Philippine, Palestine, Brazil, Belarus, Argentina and United Arab Emirates, is a testimony of humanity in togetherness, in seeking the advancement of science to ensure the progress and sustainability of both mankind and mother earth.

This year, a total of 113 entries are recorded. The unprecedented format and methodology of WICE, being a young but impactful initiative, shows how science and technology itself can be deployed in times of crisis. On-line and remote participation, judging and event management were organized in a relatively smooth and commendable way, although more improvement can be made in the future.

A total of 19 judges from the host country Indonesia, followed by Malaysia, India, Taiwan, and Turkey are appointed from various backgrounds. This gives a holistic basis on which the entries are assessed to ensure a holistic and wholesome standard. The question of judging system integrity is always given due attention and WICE judges are never short of being professional. Special appreciation to Mr. Slamet Budi Cahyono, the Judges Coordinator for taking the responsibility to ensure a smooth judging process. With qualified judges such as Mr. Slamet himself, Mr. Yuda Setiabudi, Mr. Ganesan Jeyabalan, Dr. Tiu Zian Cheak, Dr. Devi Arumugam and many more who were awarded the Distinction for Professionalism Award from the Standard for Professionalism and Integrity Development, Empowerment and Reach (SPIDER), participants are assured of a fair and professional assessment system. [SPIDER is an international standard for integrity and professionalism, scheme owner Advance Accreditation Authority Singapore.]

WICE, being an international platform, is not only about competition but also as a platform for scientific growth among the young. Competition is only event to spur the spirit of discovery and motivate the relentless effort in seeking advancement in STEM. Winning or losing is not important, seeking to challenge personal frontier and limit is the principle of success. Here, I would like to not only congratulate the winners but ALL PARTICIPANTS, for your participation is already a great success!

Last but not least, thank you for the efforts taken by Mr. Deni Irawan, the President of IYSA, his dedicated team, SEGI College, the international panel of judges, participants, associates, friends from the media and all members of the global community in making WICE 2020 a great success. See you all in WICE 2021!

Myocho Kan

Advisor and Chief Judge of IYSAPresident, Advance Accreditation Authority Pte Ltd, Singapore.

President, 3A Global (www.3aglobal.org)

EXCO, Confederation of Scientific and Technological Associations in Malaysia

Former judge / assessor / chief judge in China, Taiwan, Hungary, Indonesia, Malaysia and Switzerland