Two final-year students from the School of Technology (SoT) at the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) have achieved international acclaim by securing silver awards at the International Educational Design, Games, Invention & Innovation 2024 (iEDGII 2024) competition.

Competing against 411 global entries in the professional category, Chai Waii Yuan and Cheang Wai Hoe demonstrated excellence in innovation and problem-solving.

Winning Projects with Global Impact

Chai’s project, "Identifying Student At-Risk via Behavioral Recognition and Learning Analytics Dashboard", focuses on tackling the critical issue of student dropouts. By using AI to monitor student behaviour, engagement, and progress in real-time, the system bridges communication gaps between schools and parents, empowering all stakeholders to support students proactively. 

“This project demonstrates how AI can transform education by addressing student challenges, reducing dropout risks, and fostering well-rounded, successful young adults,” Chai shared. 

Cheang’s project, "Interactive Music Theory Application Enhancing Knowledge, Performance, and Documentation Featuring Optical Music Recognition", revolutionises music education by providing an interactive platform that makes learning accessible and engaging. The app addresses educational inequities, offering tools for students in underserved areas to explore music theory comprehensively. 

“Winning this award highlights how technology can bridge educational gaps, making learning opportunities accessible to all, regardless of background,” Cheang remarked. 

A Collaborative Effort Supported by Dedicated Mentors

Both projects were supervised by Ms Hairul Aysa Binti Abdul Halim Sithiq, lecturer of SoT, with additional guidance from Ms Lai Chew Ping and Ms Chong Mien May from the School of Computing (SoC). The competition, hosted virtually by Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), spanned from July 1 to November 7, 2024, showcasing innovations from diverse fields. 

Testimonials Reflecting Passion and Purpose

Chai Waii Yuan emphasised the transformative power of AI in education: “This award represents my dedication to leveraging AI to create a supportive and efficient education system.” 

Cheang Wai Hoe highlighted his project’s focus on equity: “Our app addresses the need for equal educational opportunities, proving that technology can close gaps and enable rural students to explore music.” 

Recognition and Publication

As a testament to their innovative achievements, the projects will be published as abstract papers in the e-proceedings of iEDGII 2024 (e-ISSN) by 2025. 

The accomplishments of Chai and Cheang underscore APU’s commitment to fostering innovative minds capable of addressing real-world challenges. 

These silver wins not only spotlight the students’ ingenuity but also reinforce the university’s standing as a hub for technological excellence and educational innovation.