APU Teams Shine in PMIMY Hackathon 2023

Undergraduates Demonstrate Proven Expertise in Data Analytics Through Real-world Applications

In a celebration of cutting-edge data analytics and innovative problem-solving, two teams from the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) stood tall as winners at the prestigious PMIMY Hackathon 2023. Organised by the Project Management Institute, Malaysia Chapter (PMIMY) in collaboration with Nottingham University, Malaysia, the event focused on the data analytics project, aiming to deliver functional reports and dashboards to PMIMY Marcom.

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Team CTL, consisting of Chan See Mun (3rd from the left to the right), Teo Zee Xuan, and Lee Pei Qi, emerged as the overall winner at PMIMY Hackathon 2023. Accompanied by their mentor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nirase Fathima Abubacker (far right), the team received the prize from Mr. Adam Tan (1st from left), Director of Technology & Cybersecurity of PMIMY, and Mr. Lai Jun Sing (2nd from left), Director-at-Large, Treasury & Procurement of PMIMY.

The award ceremony took place during the PMIMY Annual Dinner 2023 on December 9, 2023, at the Sheraton Hotel in Puchong. The hackathon featured challenging tasks, including Project Management Institute (PMI) member analysis and social media analysis, emphasising the real-world application of data analytics.

Team CTL, consisting of Chan See Mun, Teo Zee Xuan, and Lee Pei Qi, all students from the BSc (Hons) in Computer Science with a specialism in Data Analytics degree programme, Level 3 Sem 2, emerged as the overall winner. Under the mentorship of Associate Professor Dr. Nirase Fathima Abubacker from the School of Computing (SoC) at APU, Team CTL was awarded RM3,000 for their outstanding performance.

Their winning project focused on creating Functional Reports and Dashboards, specifically honing in on PMIMY member analysis and social media analytics. Chan See Mun, Team CTL Lead, expressed her gratitude, stating, "This award is considered a prestigious one as the Hackathon has been organised by PMIMY, which comprises many professionals from the corporate. It's an honour to be the winner of this competition."

The team showcased their proficiency in tackling challenges related to social media analytics, optimal posting strategies and event analysis. Chan See Mun highlighted the significance of their solution, stating, "Our solution has not only met but exceeded expectations and was greatly regarded by the project owner."

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nirase Fathima commended Team CTL, saying, "Winning first place proves Team CTL’s ability to handle current issues and provide practical solutions, showcasing their knowledge and skills. I'm proud of our students and delighted to bring glory to APU."

Reflecting on their success factors, Chan See Mun attributed their victory to core knowledge and skills learned in the classroom. She emphasised the challenges they overcame, stating, “Achieving the deliverables was quite challenging due to the difficulty in obtaining social media data for the pilot study. We consolidated the data analytics techniques along with the effective dashboarding aspect to showcase the expected deliverables.”

Team CTL regarded the competition not only as a showcase of their skills but as a dynamic playground for valuable experiences. "Our true victories lie in the insights gained, skills acquired, and the enduring bonds of teamwork and friendship woven throughout," added Chan See Mun.

Team KTK’s Tan Chang Yang Terence (3rd from the left to the right), Lim Khai Xuan (Team Lead), and Khaw Khai Nee, received their prize from Mr. Adam Tan (1st from left), Director of Technology & Cybersecurity of PMIMY, and Mr. Lai Jun Sing (2nd from left), Director-at-Large, Treasury & Procurement of PMIMY.

Meanwhile, Team KTK, composed of Lim Khai Xuan (Team Lead), Tan Chang Yang Terence, and Khaw Khai Nee, all Level 2 Sem 1 Data Analytics students from APU, secured second place. Lim Khai Xuan, reflecting on their journey, shared, "Since it was our group's first time representing our university in competition, we faced many challenges in the process but through unwavering determination and resilience, we emerged victorious in the competition."

Their analysis and insights regarding the social media accounts of PMIMY during the pitch earned them the 1st runner-up position, accompanied by a cash prize of RM2,000. Lim Khai Xuan expressed the team's gratitude, stating, "I believe that this entire hackathon was a tremendous opportunity for exposure to the world of data analytics in a corporate setting. This kind of experience is one-of-a-kind, and we are grateful to be able to be a part of this hackathon."

Team GBS from Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) achieved the 2nd runner-up position.

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A group picture of the top winners for PMIMY Hackathon 2023 with the leadership of PMIMY.

The PMIMY Hackathon 2023 showcased not only the technical prowess of these talented teams but also the spirit of innovation and collaboration fostered at APU. As the winners bask in their well-deserved glory, their success becomes a testament to the university's commitment to nurturing skilled professionals in the field of data analytics. The journey of Team CTL and Team KTK serves as an inspiration for aspiring data enthusiasts, marking a milestone in their academic and professional growth.