APU Software Engineering and Data Analytics students, Sarah Manisha Oorjitham and Amelie Paul, won a Gold Medal at the 14th International Invention, Innovation, and Design Competition (INDeS 2025) for their AI-powered CenderaWauBot, a creation that revives the heritage of the rare Wau (kite) Cenderawasih from Pahang Darul Makmur through interactive content and showcases APU’s dedication to culturally sensitive, impactful AI innovation.

Sarah Manisha Oorjitham and Amelie Paul, two bright Software Engineering and Data Analytics students from the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), clinched a Gold medal at the 14th International Invention, Innovation, and Design Competition (INDeS 2025) with their captivating AI-powered cultural innovation, ‘The Sky Remembers: Wau Cenderawasih Bot Awakens the Spirit of Pahang’.

Guiding this dynamic duo were their dedicated mentors, Associate Professor Ts Dr Vinothini Kasinathan and Assistant Professor Ts Dr Maythem Kamal Abbas Al-Adilee, whose expert leadership helped shape the project from its initial concept to its triumphant completion.

At the heart of this ground-breaking innovation lies CenderaWauBot, an intelligent chatbot designed to breathe new life into the almost forgotten legacy of Wau Cenderawasih. 

This rare and stunning traditional kite from Pahang Darul Makmur, rich in symbolism and artistry, is largely unknown to younger generations. 

The chatbot, readily available online and across multiple platforms, masterfully introduces users to the kite’s intricate design, profound cultural significance, and fascinating historical roots.

Equipped with cutting-edge Natural Language Processing (NLP), engaging dual-gender personas, interactive quizzes, and gamified experiences, CenderaWauBot immerses users in a conversation that is as educational as it is culturally enriching.

What’s more, the system includes tailored content for various age groups, making it perfectly suited for both educational institutions and cultural tourism platforms.

“We were absolutely thrilled that Dr Vino encouraged us to enter this competition,” shared Sarah Manisha.

After their experience with the 11th International Conference on Global Education (ICGE XI) 2025, International Putra Innovative Teaching and Learning Conference (I-PICTL) and the Service-Learning (SULAM) Carnival 2025; they were truly motivated to refine their project and boost its usability. 

AI as a cultural storyteller

“We also made sure to carry out testing at the Kaseh Ramadhan event. As we pushed ourselves to aim for gold at UiTM, we focused on preparing more props for the event. By printing colouring packs that included details about the ‘Wau’, and physically displaying a cut-out of the Wau Cenderawasih, we believe these elements were crucial in helping our team secure the gold at the INDeS 2025 competition.”

Amelie added, “Together with Sarah, Dr Vino, and Dr Maythem, we prepared thoroughly for the competition, even travelling to Perak a day early to set up our booth and finalise everything. We even went for a final shopping trip to find the perfect way to display our props beautifully.”

“We are truly grateful to both Dr Vino and Dr Maythem for taking time out of their busy schedules to support us for this competition. We would not have achieved what we have without their invaluable input and guidance. 

“A huge thank you to APU and both Dr Vino and Dr Maythem who so kindly drove us there and also made sure we were well-fed for every meal.” 

She further explained that the chatbot’s practical applications are vast, making it ideal for integration into school curricula, museum installations, tourism websites, and even government heritage campaigns. 

“This is not just a chatbot; it is a cultural storyteller,” said Dr Vinothini, who added, “Through intelligent design, our students have proven that AI can be used not only for automation but also as a medium to preserve, retell, and reimagine heritage.”

The project’s inspiring mission is to promote Malaysia’s vanishing cultural narratives using modern AI tools. Its poignant tagline, ‘Where AI Breathes Life into Forgotten Skies,’ perfectly captures the poetic intersection between tradition and technology.

“We are incredibly proud of Sarah and Amelie,” said Dr Maythem, who added, “They are proof that diploma students, with the right guidance and vision, can lead impactful innovation rooted in Malaysian identity.”