SOAP UP is the first national soap online competition program organized by STEM Education Organization for Cambodia (STEMEOC), the non-governmental initiative aiming to support Cambodian youth in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) by developing the passion for STEM careers at the young age. This program is also supported by Ministry of Education Youth and Sports (MoEYS), and Ministry of Environment (MoE), and partnered with Hanthaphal Thommacheat Moringa Healing Center (MHC), Intellectual Property Association of Cambodia (IPAC), and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This brand-new competition is initiated to introduce the art of soap making to everyone, especially adolescents targeted the high-quality and nice scent soap.
Matching with the objectives of competition in the awareness of intellectual property, trademark, local business entrepreneurship, and promotion of research in natural products for health and environmental friendly, Dr. Houng Peany, Principal Investigator of HEIP-ITC-SGA#18 “Valorization of Cambodia agricultural by-products through extraction and formulation of essential oils and bioactive compounds” under Component 2: Improving Research in STEM and Agriculture, Higher Education Improvement Project (HEIP), links the project objectives of producing the essential oil as the main ingredient to the soap. Interestingly, the sub-research team named FELICE won 1st place in the Senior Soap Maker among 37 teams of total Soap Up Competition. FILICE defined as love, happiness, and satisfaction, provide good quality soap for body skin care in terms of shape, scent, and safety. FILICE members are:
- Dr. Huong Peany (Coach)
- Ms. Keo Kimmey (Member)
- Ms. Chea Theavy (Member)
- Ms. Sok Mey (Member)
The soap was prepared by using the essential oil as the main ingredient.
The shape of soap was selected carefully based on the convenience of usage – body skin care. Various essential oils were used as the active ingredients to formulate the unique fragrance of soap.
A set of body skin care soap was submitted to the competition. The team’s name is FELICE meant love, happiness, and satisfaction.
FELICE team got 1st place of SOAP UP 2022.