From vision to reality: Hotlink Uni Legends 2025 empowers students to achieve their dream campus events
Hotlink has successfully concluded its Hotlink Uni Legends 2025 challenge through three student-led festivals at local universities, transforming campuses into vibrant hubs of energy, innovation, and community spirit.
Ambitious event concepts were successfully transformed into reality by these Malaysian students, supported by Hotlink’s funding, marketing efforts, and mentorship.
“Seeing these visions come to life across campuses was a proud moment for all of us. Throughout this journey, we have witnessed the incredible growth and resilience of these students. We are confident that the leadership skills gained here will empower these students to innovate and lead in their communities for years to come.” - Loh Keh Jiat, Chief Consumer Business Officer of Maxis
The journey: From pitch to reality
Hotlink Uni Legends 2025 began in June 2025, inviting students from public higher learning institutions nationwide to submit proposals for events capable of attracting over 5,000 participants. Following a competitive selection process, 10 shortlisted teams pitched their ideas to a panel of industry leaders at Menara Maxis.
Three winning teams emerged - Team Gegaqsters (Universiti Sains Malaysia, Nibong Tebal, Penang), Team JSP UiTM Jasin (Universiti Teknologi MARA, Jasin, Melaka), and Team Jawatankuasa Perwakilan Kolej Sesi 2024/2025 (Universiti Teknologi MARA, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah). With Hotlink’s resources and guidance, the three teams hit the ground running to bring their dream events to life.
Event highlights
The first event took place in Sabah with Karnival Kolej (KARKOL) Ke-16 at UiTM Kota Kinabalu from 18 October 2025 to 3 November 2025. As the largest carnival ever organised at the campus, the two-week event fostered unity among students through 39 diverse activities. A standout highlight was the "Golden Voice of UiTM" singing competition, where 15 finalists competed for top honours, including the Hotlink Choice Award. Team Jawatankuasa Perwakilan Kolej Sesi 2024/2025 shared that, “This event created many meaningful memories, from the moment we pitched our event concept in Kuala Lumpur to the very last day of KARKOL.”
Photo caption: The winners of the "Golden Voice of UiTM" singing competition, which was held as part of the KARKOL 16 festival at UiTM Kota Kinabalu.
In Peninsular Malaysia, UniXplode 2025 transformed UiTM Jasin, Melaka, into a community hub from 14 to 16 November. The three-day festival successfully united over 11,000 attendees through four specialised zones: Tournament, Fun, Extreme, and Booth zones. Highlights included a 5km Family Farm Run involving 89 family teams, as well as adventure activities like flying fox and ATV rides. The student organisers, JSP UiTM Jasin, shared that Hotlink’s regular check-ins and logistical guidance helped ease the pressure of managing their first major campus event. “Hotlink’s support made the whole experience easier and more enjoyable for us. It was a meaningful event to be part of, and we are grateful for the opportunity,” they said.
Photo caption: More than 300 participants, including 89 family teams, joined the Family Farm Run held during UniXplode 2025.
The programme concluded with Festival Gegaq25 at USM Nibong Tebal, Penang from 5 to 7 December 2025. This three-day mega-event drew over 16,000 attendees. The festival featured performances by Bunkface and Sofazr, a Unity Run, various sport competitions and digital skills workshops. The organising committee, comprising nearly 200 student secretariats, described the experience as a "turning point" for their confidence and teamwork, and completing the event boosted their confidence and reaffirmed their ability to deliver large-scale initiatives.
Photo caption: The organising committee of Festival Gegaq25 at USM Nibong Tebal, Penang.
Empowering the youth community
Hotlink Uni Legends is driven by the same ‘pasti mampu’ spirit that offers consumers maximum value. This youth initiative evolved from its 2024 focus on esports to embrace creative event ideation in 2025, which enabled more students to showcase their leadership, communication skills, and diverse talents on a national stage.
