On June 30, 2024, the PayNet & APU Hackathon 2024 concluded with resounding success, marking a significant collaboration between PayNet and the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU). This event was a testament to the power of industry-academic partnerships in fostering innovation and addressing real-world challenges.

PayNet, a leading provider of financial technology solutions in Malaysia, played a pivotal role in shaping the hackathon's success. With a commitment to innovation and a deep understanding of industry needs, PayNet provided the platform and resources necessary for students to explore, experiment, and innovate freely.

The hackathon attracted some of the brightest minds from APU, representing diverse specialisms and eager to tackle pressing issues in the financial sector. Participants delved into problems ranging from enhancing digital payment systems to fortifying cybersecurity protocols and leveraging data analytics for informed decision-making. Armed with cutting-edge technologies and mentored by industry experts and academic staff, the teams embarked on a journey to innovate and disrupt.

The event's timeline included key milestones such as the Hackathon Introductory Talk on May 23, the Mentor Talk on June 26, the Mentoring Session and Kick-Start of the Hackathon on June 29, and the Hackathon Finals and Award Ceremony on June 30, 2024.

A total of 37 groups registered for the competition in May 2024. Out of these, 32 groups submitted video presentations for the pre-selection of ideas, and 10 groups were selected for the prototype development phase. All the teams crafted prototypes and solutions that promised to revolutionise the digital payment industry. Their dedication and ingenuity impressed the judges, all seasoned professionals from leading financial and tech enterprises.

The competition wasn't just about accolades, it offered substantial rewards as well. A total of RM24,000 in cash prizes and RM48,000 worth of training packages awaited the victorious teams. This generous support not only recognised their efforts but also encouraged them to continue refining their innovations beyond the hackathon.

Team Pay-Jaja, composed of Syed Nazrin bin Syed Nurshadir, Muhammad Jilan Noor Butt, Chin Thean Soo, and Angelica Revin, was announced as the Platinum Award winner, walking away with an RM5000 cash prize and the PayNet Akar AWS Re/Start Training worth RM12,000 for each student.

Team Ctrl+Alt+Defeat, made up of Harith Daniel Kang, Low Yee Fei, Jasmine Lawrence, and Pu Jun Yu, won the Judges' Choice Award of RM5000. Team Special Forces, comprised of Eeashann Sivasankar, Joshua Kenji Istitoro, and Chan Jia Wei, received the Gold Award of RM3000. The Silver Award with a cash prize of RM2000 went to Team Kamikaze, with members Ng Ze-Kang, Lee Lik Shann, Fumi Aoki, and Teo Hoi Ting.

Additionally, the Best Emerging Technology Award worth RM1000 was given to Team Avengers, consisting of Baitangatov Meiirzhan, Ken Nara Gazza, Grace Abdula Gomes, Narzullayeva Shahrinabonu, and Ahmad Awad. Eight other teams, including Team ShareScreen, APvengers, Open Bank, Special Forces, Net-to, Empower, Ctrl+Alt+Defeat, and C18++, received the Recognition Award of RM1000 each.

The award ceremony was graced by the presence of APU's Senior Head of the School of Technology (SoT), Associate Professor Dr Thang Ka Fei, alongside the senior leadership team of the organiser and industrial partners, including Mr Xing Cheng, Chief Product Officer of PayNet; Mr Bosco Beh, Director of World Education Placement Services Sdn Bhd; Mr Nicholas Lim, Chief Technology Officer of SoftSpace; and Mr Raja, Director of Paymatic.

The PayNet & APU Hackathon 2024, also known as the 'X2 Hackathon by Akar', showcased exemplary synergy between APU's Schools of Technology (SoT), Computing (SoC), Accounting & Finance (SoAF), and the industry leader PayNet. Guided by the Heads of Schools – Assoc Prof Dr Thang Ka Fei, Assoc Prof Dr Tan Chin Ike, and Assoc Prof Dr Chong Lee Lee – the academic organising committee included Ms Hemalata Vasudavan (SoT), Ms Tham Hoong Ching (SoT), Dr Nurul Farhaini Razali (SoT), Ms Tan Li June (SoC), Dr Meera Eeswaran (SoAF), and Mr Kannan Asokan (SoAF), ensuring a perfectly rounded event.

Ultimately, the PayNet & APU Hackathon was more than just an event, it was a celebration of creativity, innovation, and collaboration.

“By providing students with a platform to develop and showcase their ideas, APU and PayNet are nurturing the next generation of innovators and leaders. The hackathon stands as a testament to APU’s commitment to providing a holistic education that goes beyond the classroom, preparing students for successful and impactful careers in the financial industry,” concluded Dr Thang.