Team Datapeks and Team Alpacaverse, from the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) Schools of Computing and Technology respectively, clinched double championships titles at the Universiti Malaya UM Hackathon and won a total of RM10,000 combined. This represented half of the total prize pool awarded by the organiser!
Team Datapeks was led by Hoh Shen Yien, a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science student with a specialism in Data Analytics. The team was made up of Nicole Ee Sze Mien, a student in the BSc (Hons) in Information Technology with a specialism in Digital Transformation, Teow Jing Wern Cassandrea, a student in the Bachelor of Computer Science (Hons) in Intelligent Systems, and Woon Eusean, a student in the BSc (Hons) in Computer Science.
Team Alpacaverse was led by Leo Wai Yei and was made up of students from the BSc (Hons) in Computer Science with specialisms in Data Analytics. The rest of the two members were Chua Rou Lin and Khor Zhen Win.
The nationwide physical hackathon was organised by the University of Malaya Computer Association, and approximately 180 participants from 20 public and private universities in the country submitted over 40 creations. The hackathon lasted three days and two nights from May 5 to 7 and featured two domains - Venture Capital, and Obstetrics & Gynecology, which were taken on by Team Datapeks and Team Alpacaverse, respectively.
Team Datapeks created “VeloCap,” an AI-driven venture capital management software focused on the first two phases of the venture capital process - deal sourcing and due diligence. “VeloCap optimises faster, smarter, and data-driven investment decision-making by using features such as the intelligent database manager, personalised ranked deal finder, smart insights identifier, and GenieMatch,” explained Hoh.
Team Alpacaverse created “AlpacaCare,” an AI-powered health monitoring application designed to alleviate the pain points of expectant mothers. “The platform delivers personalised knowledge resources and service recommendations to support mothers throughout their pregnancy journey, providing accurate health predictions and tailored recommendations for diet, supplements, and lifestyle changes. The main backing behind the solution was to solve problems with viable solutions,” elucidated Leo on their winning factors.
To unearth students’ creativity in solving a problem within a specified timeframe, encourage the development of information and communication technology (ICT) skills, as well as challenge participants to apply the techniques learned practically, the participants were given multiple datasets to solve the problem statements in the respective domains by using various machine learning techniques. The judging criteria were based on originality and creativity, impact and value, technical complexity and quality, user experience and design, market penetration and viability, and the presentation and pitching of each contestant.
The two champions from APU were awarded RM5,000 in prize money each and certificates to acknowledge their achievement. Additionally, they were also excited to be invited to a tea session with the event sponsors and judges. “It was a great honour to be recognised for our hard work and dedication, and we are grateful for the prizes that came along with it,” described Hoh delightfully.