Quest International University Perak wins IBM Mobilithon 2013

By Digital News Asia November 26, 2013

App for university students integrates timetable, results and communications with faculty
Mobilithon in August drew 300 university students and faculty staff members

Quest International University Perak wins IBM Mobilithon 2013

IBM has named Quest International University Perak (QIUP) the winner of IBM Mobilithon, an event organised to build skills and develop talent amongst Malaysian university students in the mobile app space.

QIUP was represented by students Kanahavalli Mardamutu, Ryan Anthony Lim Aik Joon, Chun Mun Chung and Ng Wei Kit. Their application beat 10 finalists to clinch the top prize.

“We came up with the idea of a campus solution that will integrate main university components,” said QIUP group leader Kanahavalli.

“Based from our observation, many universities in Malaysia do not utilise mobile technology to offer better services to students. Our app features a student profile database, lecture scheduling, results and grades, chat, notifications and more.

“With this prototype, we hope get our university's buy in to explore its viability,” she added.

The IBM Mobilithon was launched in August 2013 and drew 300 university students and faculty staff members across the country. Contestants were trained in IBM Worklight, a cross-platform application development tool, over a period of 10 sessions.

The training was supported by the Multimedia Development Corporation’s (MDeC) K-Workers Development unit. MDeC is the national ICT custodian.

More than 100 students representing 22 universities submitted their ideas for mobile app development to vie for the top prize of RM5,000. The runners-up from Tunku Abdul Rahman University and KBU International College received RM3,000 and RM1,000 respectively. [RM1 = US$0.31].

Every year, IBM engages university students with different contests to encourage innovation and to inculcate the company’s ‘Think’ philosophy. In 2011 a Cloud Smart Camp was organised and last year a Student Innovator Challenge was held to spur entrepreneurship.

“It was a very challenging task for the judges to choose the winner this time around. All the finalists have impressive solutions that meet our selection criteria,” said head judge Joann Soon, a mentor with 1337 Accelerator.

“QIUP was chosen based on the commercial appeal, and value the app could potentially bring to the table,” she added.

The Top 10

KBU International College, Hoo Wan Hong (RideOn): An app to assist companies in arranging shuttle buses/ vans for transport.

Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Tan Jiawei (Pos Malaysia Shipping Service): An app that allows tracking of courier services which also includes pick-up of parcels by the courier company.

Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Nor Alia Zulaika Bte Mohamed (CHealth): An app for cancer patient support.

Asia Pacific University, Helmi Febri Nandani (iVolunteer): An app to bring together volunteers for various charities.

Asia Pacific University, Chin Wan Jing (Parking Guide to You (PG2U)): An app that integrates parking facility information within a vicinity.

Quest International University Perak, Kanahavalli (UniStat): An all-inclusive app for university students integrating timetable, results, communication with university and academic staff etc.

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Quah Soong Ying (Car Park Ticketing System): A ticketless parking system that only uses your phone.

Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Amirrul bin Bain (fotoPunktzhal): An app that brings together the local community for locally organised sporting events.

Tunku Abdul Rahman University College, Calvin Cheah Khye Voon (Mobile Business Card): An app that replaces business cards.

University Putra Malaysia, Ahmad Mosallanejad (Mobileface): A social networking app that detects students who are close by and initiate chats.