Double win for APU

Team Alpacaverse: (from left) Chua, Leo and Khor.

TWO teams from the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) Schools of Computing and Technology proved their mettle in artificial intelligence (AI) with their recent win at the Universiti Malaya (UM) Hackathon.

Team Datapeks, led by Hoh Shen Yien, and Team Alpacaverse, led by Leo Wai Yei, both of whom are computer science students, clinched double championship titles, winning RM5,000 prize money each.

Their entries, submitted for the venture capital, and obstetrics and gynaecology domains, respectively, beat over 40 creations from 180 participants from 20 public and private universities in the country.

Taking on venture capital, Team Datapeks created “VeloCap”, an AI-driven management software focused on the first two phases of the venture capital process: deal sourcing and due diligence

Team Datapeks: (from left) Woon, Hoh, Ee and Teow.

“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,” said Hoh.

“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,” he added.

Participating in the obstetrics and gynaecology domain, 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 journeys, 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,” said Leo.

Organised by the UM Computer Association, the nationwide physical hackathon was held from May 5 to 7.

Aimed at unearthing students’ creativity in solving a problem within a specified time frame, encouraging the development of their information and communication technology (ICT) skills, as well as challenging them to apply the techniques learned practically, the participants were given multiple datasets to solve 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.

Team Datapeks was made up of information technology student Nicole Ee Sze Mien, and computer science students Teow Jing Wern Cassandrea and Woon Eusean.

Team Alpacaverse comprised computer science students Chua Rou Lin and Khor Zhen Win.