A talented team of students from UTAR Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (FICT) emerged as the first runner-up at the prestigious Entrepreneur Colosseum (TEC) 2024. Their innovative project, “Enjoyable”, captivated the judges and earned the team a cash prize of RM10,000 for their exceptional work.
TEC 2024 was held on 28 September 2024 at the PUMM HQ Entrepreneurs Home, Setiawalk, Puchong. It was organised by the Persatuan Usahawan Muda Malaysia (PUMM) with support from the Young Entrepreneurs Movement.
The annual competition provided a platform for Malaysian university students and young entrepreneurs to present groundbreaking business ideas related to technology, innovation, and sustainability.
The FICT team’s project, “Enjoyable” introduced a novel video description method aimed at enhancing the multimedia experience for the visually impaired. Through descriptive audio, the project enables individuals with visual impairments to enjoy rich, immersive content across various platforms. This impactful initiative not only demonstrated remarkable technological innovation but also contributed significantly to the OKU community, aligning with global sustainability goals.
The team comprised Bachelor of Computer Science (Honours) student Lee Wei Song and Bachelor of Information Technology (Honours) Communications and Networking student Kuek En Yee.
Both team members expressed their heartfelt appreciation for the guidance and support provided by their academic mentor, Dr Aun Yichiet, who is also the head of programme for Master in Data Management and Analytics & Postgraduate Diploma in Data Management and Analytics at UTAR FICT. “Winning first runner-up is a surreal experience for us. This competition gave us a unique platform to challenge ourselves, and receiving such recognition feels like a validation of our hard work and dedication. We are especially grateful to Dr Aun for his unwavering mentorship throughout the journey,” shared Lee and Kuek.
The innovation with social impact, “Enjoyable” was inspired by the team’s desire to address inclusivity in the digital space. The lack of accessible content for visually impaired individuals, particularly in entertainment and education, drove them to develop a solution that bridges this gap. The system provides detailed and immersive audio descriptions for videos, enabling visually impaired individuals to engage with visual content in a meaningful way.
The project’s practical applications are far-reaching, with potential use in streaming platforms, educational institutions, and media platforms that require accessible solutions. “Enjoyable” stands as an example of inclusivity, ensuring that everyone, regardless of visual ability, can experience and enjoy multimedia content.
The success of “Enjoyable” aligns with several of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
Dr Aun, the mentor of the team, emphasised the importance of UTAR’s unwavering support, which empowered the team to excel. “This achievement is the result of hard work, preparation, and a bit of luck coming together at the right time,” he added, acknowledging the balance of effort and opportunity that led to their success.
Entrepreneur Colosseum 2024 was a significant milestone for the FICT team, reinforcing the importance of innovation in addressing real-world challenges. UTAR congratulates the team for their outstanding achievement and looks forward to seeing how “Enjoyable” continues to make a difference in the lives of many.
From left: Dr Aun and Lee at the award presentation ceremony
© 2024 UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN DU012(A).
Wholly owned by UTAR Education Foundation (200201010564(578227-M)) LEGAL STATEMENT TERM OF USAGE PRIVACY NOTICE
