UTAR students triumph at Bridg3 Hackathon

Four UTAR students achieved remarkable success at the Bridg3 Hackathon, held from 27 to 31 July 2024, at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur. Representing the Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES) and the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (FICT), the team showcased their talents and took home prestigious awards in two categories.

From left: Tan Wei Mun, Tan Jing Jie, Jacynth Tham Ming Quan, Choo Jia Zheng

The team consisted of Choo Jia Zheng, pursuing a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Software Engineering, Tan Jing Jie, a Doctor of Philosophy candidate in Engineering, and graduates Jacynth Tham Ming Quan and Tan Wei Mun from the Computer Science programme. Their exceptional performance earned them the Champion title in the MasChain Track, along with a prize of USD2,500 and a certificate. Additionally, they secured the 1st runner-up position in the Blockchain For Good Track, receiving USD1,000 and a certificate. These accolades reflect their outstanding ability to apply technical knowledge and innovative thinking to real-world challenges.

Organised by GrowthCharger in partnership with MasChain, Sui, and Blockchain For Good, the Bridg3 Hackathon served as a prelude to Malaysia Blockchain Week. The event aimed to bridge the gap between Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 technologies, fostering innovation and collaboration among participants. Over a 48-hour period, teams worked tirelessly to develop projects that seamlessly integrated these technologies, showcasing their solutions during the final demo day.

Tan Jing Jie excelling in the Q&A session

The team members expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the hackathon and shared their reflections on the experience. Team leader Tan Jing Jie highlighted the strategic collaboration that allowed them to leverage their collective strengths. He credited his role as a leader with organising the team to maximise efficiency and effectiveness. By integrating large language model (LLM) technology, the team developed a chatbot and information arranger that simplified user interaction. Tan expressed appreciation for his teammates’ dedication and their shared ability to convey complex ideas effectively within the competition’s constraints. He also thanked his supervisors, particularly Dr Kwan Ban Hoe, for his support.

Jacynth Tham, responsible for front-end development and pitching, emphasised the importance of creating an intuitive user interface and delivering a coherent presentation. She credited Tan for his guidance, which ensured a seamless connection between the project’s technical and presentational aspects. Tan Wei Mun, a developer focused on the blockchain API MasChain, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to apply his expertise in ensuring transaction integrity and transparency. He praised Tan’s strategic division of tasks, which facilitated the team’s success within the hackathon’s limited timeframe.

Choo Jia Zheng, the undergraduate team member, described the hackathon as a “roller coaster journey” highlighting how it allowed him to gain invaluable experience alongside more seasoned teammates. He appreciated the invitation from the team leader and the exposure to Web 3.0 technologies that extended beyond typical university coursework. Choo thanked his teammates for the chance to learn and explore new areas of technology.

The accomplishments of these UTAR students highlight the university’s commitment to fostering technical skills and innovation. Their success serves as an inspiration to current and future students, showing the potential to excel on an international stage. The Bridg3 Hackathon was a significant event within the blockchain community, encouraging participants to explore the intersection of traditional and emerging technologies. The team’s achievements reflect their dedication and expertise, underscoring the importance of blockchain and Web 3.0 technologies in addressing complex global challenges.

Bridg3 Hackathon - Champion of MasChain Track

Bridg3 Hackathon - 1st Runner-up of Blockchain For Good Track

Hackathon organiser Mr Daren Tan (second from right) and the team