The Faculty of Computing at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia hosted the UTMxHACKATHON on March 30, 2023. The event, organized by Persatuan Mahasiswa Sains Komputer (PERSAKA), was a high-energy pitch competition that showcased students’ innovative prowess in system interface design and marketing strategies. It took place in Bilik Kuliah 1, N28, and commenced with a comprehensive online briefing on March 23.
The preliminary session provided participants with an introduction to the case study, followed by a robust Q&A segment that set the stage for them to refine their projects. The participants spent the week fervently developing posters, prototypes, and demonstration videos, which they presented on Pitching Day to a discerning panel of judges. The presentations emphasized creativity, problem-solving, and user engagement, highlighting the event’s role in nurturing essential skills and insights into IT entrepreneurship.
The hackathon was in line with the university’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). The event emphasized the importance of user experience and strategic marketing in tech innovations. The event started with an opening ceremony, which included welcoming remarks and program overviews. After that, the students presented their projects. Each group was given a five-minute window to pitch their project, followed by a five-minute Q&A session with the judges. Mr. Ridzwan Azhar, a well-known project executive at Cool Code Sdn. Bhd provided feedback for each group’s project and commended every participant.
This interaction provided invaluable industry-like experience, boosting the students’ confidence and preparedness for real-world challenges. The standout team was Team JavaTea, who won first place and a prize worth RM300. Their project impressed the judges with its superior application design, featuring a clear, feature-rich interface and astute marketing decisions. The Faculty of Computing expressed enthusiasm for the continuous improvement and achievements of their students, emphasizing the drive to nurture future IT leaders equipped with innovative spirit and excellence.
Case Study Q&A Session of Briefing Day
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Team JavaTea was awarded first place.
