APU Data Analytics Students Triumph In iTank Competition with Innovative Solution ti Plastic Pollution

Two Data Analytics students from the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) have emerged as winners of the iTank Competition—an intervarsity ideation platform organised by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). The competition received hundreds of submissions from across the country.

Nyong Chin Venn and Long Qin Hui, pursuing BSc. (Hons) Computer Science with a specialism in Data Analytics at APU, achieved the Best Solution title in the Environment category case study. They were awarded RM1000 collectively, along with certificates and trophies for their outstanding performance.

Throughout the competition, Nyong and Long received guidance from Mr. Mohamad Firdaus Che Abdul Rani, Senior Lecturer at APU’s School of Computing (SoC).

The competition, aimed at fostering creativity, promoting innovation, and encouraging sustainability among students, consisted of two rounds: the Preliminary Round held from July 1st to July 9th, and the Final Round conducted from August 4th to August 6th, 2023.

The Final Round included the top 15 teams, with three teams from each of the five case study themes: Environment, Education, Health, Waste Management, and Transportation. The competition was supported by PayNet, Exabytes, i-Psychnet, and Digital Penang, offering a platform for young minds to devise novel solutions to various challenges.

Aligned with the aspirations of iTank, Nyong and Long stretched their limits by proposing their project, “Plasnet”, which addresses challenges faced by the campus community, specifically focusing on eliminating plastic pollution from the environment.

Their brainchild, "Plasnet," is an innovative app designed to provide features such as container and tote bag rental services, a rewards system, community updates, trading of second-hand items, and a plastic footprint calculator. The project also encompasses public policy considerations for plastic management in Malaysia, the technology involved in app development, cost predictions, advocacy planning, and implementation strategies.

According to the designers, "Plasnet" aims to raise awareness, educate users, and inspire eco-friendly practices to reduce plastic consumption and waste, contributing to UN SDG 13 by addressing the pressing need to combat climate change and mitigate adverse effects on the ecosystem and human health.

“Plasnet”, is an innovative app designed by two Data Analytics students from APU, Nyong Chin Venn and Long Qin Hui, to provide features such as container and tote bag rental services, a rewards system, community updates, trading of second-hand items, and a plastic footprint calculator. 

In light of their victory, Nyong shared, "I feel both excited and motivated. This achievement has provided me with a profoundly meaningful experience as an undergraduate student and has ignited my interest in further research activities." On the other hand, Long expressed, "I am very grateful for the opportunity to offer solutions to environmental problems, as protecting Mother Nature is crucial."

APU extends its heartfelt congratulations to Nyong Chin Venn and Long Qin Hui for their remarkable achievement in winning the iTank Competition. The role of Mr. Mohamad Firdaus Che Abdul Rani as a mentor, and his dedication to inspiring students by moving beyond conventional classroom-lab teaching, is also deeply appreciated.