KUCHING – Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus has once again demonstrated its strong standing in Malaysia’s design landscape, with student Zhang Feihan
(张斐涵) clinching 10th place at the Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) National Championship 2026 grand finale against approximately 1,100 participants nationwide.
The second-year Bachelor of Design (Multimedia Design) student was Swinburne Sarawak’s sole representative and a standout contender on the national stage. This achievement was even more noteworthy as her journey began not with a nomination but with her own initiative and drive to challenge herself.
Unlike previous years where Design Lecturer Eunice Law Mei Yuan (刘美源), who coordinates Swinburne Sarawak’s participation in ACP, typically identifies and nominates students based on their academic performance across various units and classes, Zhang stood out by proactively approaching Law to express her interest in participating after discovering the competition independently.
That spark of self-motivation left a strong impression on Law, who committed to supporting Zhang throughout her competition journey.
“Watching how much she grew in such a short time – from someone whose potential I was only beginning to discover to a student I came to understand deeply, including her strengths and weaknesses in design ability and critical thinking – was both challenging and deeply rewarding,” Law reflected.
Zhang (centre) clinches 10th place at the grand finale of the Adobe Certified Professional National Championship 2026.
The ACP National Championship 2026, organised by Acestar through its creative ecosystem, Creative Cloud Community (CCC), drew participants from universities and colleges across Malaysia, all vying to prove their design prowess through a rigorous multi-stage competition with Yayasan Tunku Abdul Rahman as the client.
The competition unfolded over two rounds before culminating in a grand finale that brought together Malaysia’s top design talents.
The first round saw participants craft a compelling poster around the theme “Together, for Malaysia” using Adobe’s suite of professional design software – Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign – within a set timeframe. With submissions due on 10 April 2026, Zhang balanced her academic coursework alongside competition preparations, submitting her entry and emerging among the National Top 30.
Advancing to the second round, the Top 30 candidates – having first successfully completed their Adobe Certified Professional certifications – gathered for a live design test at Asia Pacific University (APU) on 25 April 2026.
Presented with the theme “Bridging Gaps, Empowering Malaysia” and without access to the internet, participants had eight hours to conceptualise and execute a finished poster from scratch. It was a true test of instinct, skill, and composure under pressure.
Zhang rose to the challenge and delivered a design that earned her a coveted spot among the Top 10 finalists at the ACP National Championship 2026 Grand Finale, held on 14 May 2026 at the Marriott Hotel in Petaling Jaya.
“I did not expect to make it this far – into the Top 30, let alone Top 10 – on a national level. This would definitely not have been possible without my lecturer’s guidance throughout this period. I learned so much in such a short time,” she said.
Law shared a similar sentiment, remarking, “I always believe learning begins with initiative and an eagerness to grow. One should not fear criticism but remain open to feedback from all angles.”
She also noted that guiding students to consistently achieve Top 30 and Top 10 placements at the ACP National Championship for three consecutive years was no easy feat. “However, that has never stopped me from pushing boundaries and going beyond limits as an educator to nurture outstanding candidates.”
Law also expressed her appreciation to the organiser, Acestar, for creating these windows of opportunity for students to shine.
“Students deserve the opportunity and recognition to prove themselves in the design realm. I hope there will be more opportunities in the future for us to collaborate and continue supporting young learners through this platform,” she said.
Swinburne Sarawak’s design programs continue to bridge classroom learning with real-world demands, equipping students with the creative resilience and technical mastery needed to compete and excel on the national stage.
For more information on Swinburne Sarawak, visit its website, Facebook page (@swinburnesarawak), Instagram page (@swinburnesarawak), LinkedIn page (Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus), X page (@Swinburne_Swk), TikTok page (@swinburnesarawak), YouTube channel (Swinburne Sarawak), or Xiaohongshu page (@SwinburneSwk).