Second runner-up at Bridg3 Hackathon

Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (FICT) students won the second runner-up prize at the Bridg3 Hackathon under the “MASCHAIN” track category. The competition was held from 27 to 28 July 2024 at Xsolla Curine Academy, KL Eco City.

Team “Roti Canai”, comprising Ng Chun Ming, Ng Shun Yi, Tan Carlton, Chang Yun Qi, and Tan Jo Fang, walked away with a cash prize of USD1,000 for their project titled CareChain.

Organised by GrowthCharger,the competition was a critical pre-event, leading up to Malaysia Blockchain Week. The competition, themed Bridging Web2 & Web3, aimed to connect innovators, tech enthusiasts, industry leaders, and government entities to explore and create solutions that bridge Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 technologies. The participants were required to work over 48 hours to develop groundbreaking solutions that merge the strengths of Web 2.0 (current internet technologies) with Web 3.0 (next-generation internet technologies with a decentralised, user-centric model powered by blockchain).

Enthusing about their team spirits, they said, “Our team leader Ng, was instrumental in both pitching our project and overseeing its development. He ensured that our project progressed smoothly and that all team members worked harmoniously, fostering a productive and collaborative environment. Shun Yi and Tan Carlton, as our backend developers, focused on creating a robust and reliable backend infrastructure essential for our project’s functionality. Their work was crucial in ensuring seamless operations and integration. Meanwhile, Chang and Tan Jo Fang, our frontend developers, concentrated on designing and developing a user-friendly and visually engaging interface. Their efforts significantly enhanced the overall user experience, making our application both intuitive and attractive.”

“Meanwhile, UTAR also played a significant role in our success at the Bridg3 Hackathon. The university provided us with a solid foundation in both technical and interdisciplinary skills, encouraging us to think critically and innovatively. The exposure to diverse learning experiences and support from faculty helped us develop the knowledge and confidence needed,” they added.

Speaking about their project, they said, “Our project CareChain comeswith a tagline We Care, We Chain. CareChain is built to address critical problems faced by social impact organisations, including orphanages, old folks’ homes, and disease or disability support groups. It focuses on improving the management of donations and volunteer programmes through blockchain technology, which ensures transparent and secure transactions. By leveraging technologies like smart contracts and distributed ledgers, it offers a wide range of functionalities such as fund management, token management, blockchain certificates, and volunteering programmes to streamline operations and build trust among donors and volunteers. In addition, our team took part in Track 1 by MasChain, and managed to win the 2nd runner-up place. The title of the track was Enhancing Fund Collection, Distribution, and Management with MasChain for Non-Profit, Social Impact, And Islamic Finance Sectors.”

“The inspiration for CareChain stemmed from the need to address inefficiencies in fund management and the low participation in volunteer activities. We sought to create a solution that not only improves the transparency and security of fund management but also incentivises volunteerism through innovative blockchain-based systems. CareChain can be implemented in various social impact organisations to manage donations, track volunteer efforts, and issue certifications for contributions. It provides a practical solution for enhancing operational efficiency and trust in organisations working with underserved communities. CareChain significantly impacts society by improving the management of resources in orphanages, old folks’ homes, and disease or disability support groups. It promotes transparency, reduces risks of fraud and misuse, and encourages greater participation in volunteer activities, thereby supporting more equitable and sustainable community development,” they enthused.

Their research project aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being is supported by CareChain, which focuses on underserved communities like orphanages and elderly care homes, improving their access to essential resources and overall well-being. Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities is addressed by targeting marginalised groups, ensuring they receive adequate support, and promoting a more inclusive society. Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities is furthered by CareChain’s support for social impact organisations, fostering inclusive and resilient communities. Lastly, Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals is advanced through collaboration with partners via Care Points, enhancing partnerships and collective efforts to achieve the SDGs.