APU Students Make a Mark on Sustainable Development at Fusion 2023, Winning Gold and Silver Awards

The Deepblu, Satuconnect, and The Shadow Puppet Theatre are shining examples of how students can use their skills and creativity to tackle real-world issues.

The Deepblu: Developing a 2.5D Game for Raising Awareness of Marine Environmental Protection by Pang Wei Sheng received Gold and 2nd Placing awards.

Students can tackle real-world issues through their academic work, and no matter how they choose to get involved, they have the power to change the world.

For example, a student could publish a research paper on the causes of climate change or invent a new innovative solution to reduce pollution by identifying problems, researching solutions, and striving to make the future better for everyone.

Therefore, Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) sent few teams to the 5th National Symposium on Human-Computer Interaction – FUSION 2023 on 9 September 2023.

The symposium was organised by the Kuala Lumpur ACM SIGCHI Chapter (myHCI-UX), with the theme 'Human-Computer Interaction for Digital Inclusion: Empowering All in the Digital Era'.

The prestigious event brings together human-computer interaction (HCI) professionals, researchers, and students to discuss and explore critical digital inclusion topics.

The symposium included a paper presentation as well as a student design competition in which APU students competed and earned one Gold, 2nd Placing and two Silver awards at Fusion 2023.

Computer Games Development student, Pang Wei Sheng’s project The Deepblu: Developing a 2.5D Game for Raising Awareness of Marine Environmental Protection, supervised by Ms. Aida Zamnah Zainal Abidin and Mr. Sharizal Pujahaas Jaffar, won the Gold and 2nd Placing awards.

Through exciting gameplay and educational material, this innovative game strives to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our marine ecosystem.

“Fusion 2023 opened my eyes to the power of technology and design to tackle global challenges, inspiring me with innovative approaches to problem-solving and sustainability.

“Brainstorming, designing, and presenting my ideas in a supportive environment was exhilarating. The competition challenged me to think critically and tap into my creativity. It was a rewarding experience that left me motivated and inspired,” said Wei Sheng.

From left: Angel Wong Yun Yee, Lim Wye Yee, and Ang Zi Yang proudly display their Silver award.

The Silver award was awarded to Lim Wye Yee, Ang Zi Yang, and Angel Wong Yun Yee, who created Satuconnect: Your One-Stop Culture Exchange and Education Hub, also under the supervision of Ms. Aida Zamnah.

This user-friendly platform bridges cultures through engaging online and offline events, fostering understanding and appreciation for diverse perspectives.

“To empower the next billion users, our team created an all-in-one cultural education app infused with immersive Augmented Reality (AR) and gamification. We crafted a solution that transcends cultural barriers, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for diversity,” said Wye Yee, representing the team.

The team’s diverse backgrounds sparked a vibrant exchange of ideas, enriching their perspectives and providing invaluable insights into their course studies.

Chanpreet Kaur Dhanoa Awtar Singh took home the Silver award.

Another Silver award goes to Chanpreet Kaur Dhanoa Awtar Singh’s Shadow Puppet Theatre: Discovering Cultural Tourism via Vertical Chatbot, supervised by Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Vinothini Kasinathan and advised by Ms. Hairul Aysa Abdul Halim Sithiq.

This ground-breaking chatbot immerses users in the rich culture of Malaysian shadow puppetry, offering captivating insights into its history, culture, and performances, while also providing the convenience of booking tickets to shadow puppetry shows.

“When confronted with probing questions from the judges, I learned to quickly construct well-structured responses, conveying my ideas with fresh clarity and conviction.

“For a normally shy person, this breakthrough unleashed my untapped potential and highlighted the power of motivation and mentorship. The competition sparked a fire within me, inspiring me to pursue my objectives with unshakeable confidence,” said Chanpreet.

She added that “The competition bridged the gap between theory and practice” allowing her to seamlessly apply her academic knowledge to real-world challenges.

“I honed my practical skills, forged valuable connections, and exceeded my expectations, gaining insights that will propel my future academic and professional growth.”

APU’s success at FUSION 2023 demonstrates the university’s unwavering dedication to providing students with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in the ever-changing field of HCI.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Goal 4 (education), Goal 6 (sustainable management of water resources, wastewater, and ecosystems), Goal 7 (affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all), and Goal 14 (conservation and utilisation of oceans, seas, and marine resources) were all addressed by the three projects.

Last year at FUSION 2022, APU team won 1 Gold, 3 Silver, 5 Bronze, and 3 special jury awards and 2 lucky winners were chosen to dominate this prestigious HCI event.

APU students are continually pushing the boundaries of creativity, creating novel solutions to real-world problems, and making a good difference in the world.

If you are interested in HCI and sustainable development, APU strongly encourages you to participate in the FUSION 2024.

This thrilling competition provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to demonstrate your abilities and creativity, cooperate with other outstanding students, and make a real difference in the world.