Nearly 100 Malaysian students from over 30 higher education institutions worldwide participated in the inaugural Urban Sustainability Case Study Competition 2026, an event aimed at fostering policy innovation related to Johor Baru's development amid the upcoming Rapid Transit System (RTS) connection with Singapore. Organized by the Johor Student Organisation United Kingdom (JSOUK), the competition invited participants aged 18 to 25 to propose evidence-based policy solutions focusing on sustainable urban mobility, green infrastructure and housing, and inclusive economic development.
The competition commenced with an online initiation and policy workshop on July 17, designed to establish a shared analytical framework among participants from diverse academic backgrounds. The workshop covered the economic, social, and environmental implications of the RTS, while introducing concepts such as policy-cycle thinking and stakeholder analysis to help teams translate research into actionable policy recommendations.
Following an initial round, five teams advanced to the semi-final stage held at Sunway International School Iskandar Puteri on August 22. The top three teams then proceeded to the grand finale on August 23, where Team Mocks, comprising students from Sunway College, took first place and was awarded RM700. The runner-up position went to Bomshakalaka, a team of students from Universiti Malaya and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, which received RM500. Southerners, a team featuring students from The University of Manchester, University of Southampton Malaysia, and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, secured second runner-up with RM300 and also earned the RM100 Best Policy Memo Award for the clarity and effectiveness of its written recommendations.
JSOUK highlighted that the competition aimed not only to engage Malaysian students abroad in Johor’s urban development but also to provide hands-on experience in policy research, strategic thinking, and public presentation. The event allowed youth participants to interact with representatives from industry, government-linked organizations, and policy institutions, facilitating direct dialogue on the challenges and opportunities presented by the RTS.
Looking ahead, JSOUK plans to share the policy proposals generated during the competition with government stakeholders and strategic partners. This initiative intends to integrate student-driven insights into broader discussions on Johor’s urban planning and development, supporting sustainable growth in the region as it enters the RTS era.