Real-world solutions earn nods at national-level hackathon

The Star

01-06-2025

Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) continues to solidify its reputation as a leader in technological excellence and innovation.
At the recent Varsity Hackathon (VHack) 2025, held on April 26 and hosted by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in Penang, two outstanding APU teams won top accolades, further cementing the varsity's position as a powerhouse in technology-driven education.
The spotlight was on five-member 'Team The Try People' from APU's School of Engineering (SoE) and School of Computing (SoC), which secured the coveted first runner-up title. They received a cash prize of RM5,000 for their achievement in the national-level competition.
The award-winning team comprised Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science (Cyber Security) students Chong Jinn Xiang, Chia Jing Liang, Bryan Low Zhern Yang and Evin Kor Kar Hei, as well as Kok Jia Yin, a student from the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Software Engineering programme.
The team was guided by SoC lecturer Tan Li June and Assistant Prof Dr Lau Chee Yong from the SoE.
Their innovative project envisions a holistic smart city management system designed to tackle key urban challenges, including waste management, traffic congestion, and flood and weather predictions.
By integrating real-time data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI), the system enables efficient and proactive city operations – ranging from optimised waste collection routes and traffic flow adjustments to advanced alerts for inclement weather conditions.
Team CheeseB: Amad (far left) with the winning trio of APU software engineering students behind DeNate.
Importantly, the project is closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. It aims to contribute meaningfully to building inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable urban environments.
The solution not only enhances public safety and infrastructure but also empowers urban planners with data-driven insights for long-term development strategies.
In another standout performance, 'Team CheeseB' from APU made waves in the blockchain category, winning the Excellence Award for their cutting-edge solution, DeNate – short for 'Decentralised Donate'.
Comprising three software engineering students – Thien Wei Jian, Ivan Wong Hong Zheng and John Paulose – the team impressed judges with their novel approach to reimagining charitable giving through blockchain technology.
Mentored by SoC senior lecturer Amad Arshad, the team designed DeNate as a transparent, secure and user-engaging donation platform.
The project features several pioneering components, including real-time donation tracking, milestone-based fund disbursements, T-based recognition for top donors, an AI-powered chatbot offering donation forecasts and interactive dashboards to encourage community engagement.
By leveraging the power of decentralised systems, DeNate aims to restore trust and increase accountability in the donation ecosystem, ultimately bridging the gap between donors and charitable organisations.
Interdisciplinary collaboration
The students' double achievement reflects APU's deep commitment to cross-disciplinary collaboration and industry relevance.
SoC head Assoc Prof Dr Tan Chin Ike praised the synergy between departments: 'These outstanding achievements exemplify what we can accomplish when different disciplines come together.
'The collaboration between our SoC and SoE has created a powerful ecosystem where technological innovation meets practical implementation.'
He added, 'Our students have demonstrated not only technical prowess but also the ability to address real-world challenges through multidisciplinary approaches.
'This success reinforces our commitment to fostering an environment where cross-disciplinary collaboration thrives, preparing our graduates to become versatile problem-solvers ready to make meaningful contributions to society.'
The recognition earned at VHack 2025 reflects APU's enduring mission to equip students with the skills, mindset and opportunities needed to thrive in an increasingly complex digital world.
These accolades highlight not only the quality of education and mentorship provided by APU's academic staff, but also the forward-thinking spirit of its student innovators.
As the university continues to nurture creativity, foster collaboration and champion sustainability, its students are proving to be well-equipped to take on the technological challenges of tomorrow – and to shape a better, smarter and more inclusive world.