News@CS

Varsity Hackathon 2025: A Global Stage for Innovation at USM

USM, Gelugor, Pulau Pinang, 26 April 2025

The Computer Science Society (CSS) USM, in proud

collaboration with the School of Computer Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and BHEPA USM, successfully hosted the Varsity Hackathon (V HACK) 2025, the fourth

consecutive edition of its prestigious annual international flagship event.

This year’s hackathon marked a remarkable milestone as one of the largest student-led international hackathons in the region, uniting over 450 participants from 56 universities across 19

countries, including Singapore, China, India, the Philippines, and Indonesia.

𝑮𝒍𝒐𝒃𝒂𝒍 𝑰𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝑳𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑

Running from 7th March to 26th April 2025, V HACK 2025 featured preliminary rounds, intensive mentorships, final presentations, and culminated in a grand finale on 26th April at Dewan Kuliah S (DK S), USM Gelugor.

The hackathon was held in exclusive collaboration with renowned industry partners, including the Securities Commission

Malaysia (SC), Balaena Quant Sdn. Bhd., and CelcomDigi Berhad, offering participants real-world exposure and professional guidance throughout the competition.

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞-𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

This year, participants explored three cutting-edge tracks:

● Fintech & Blockchain

● AI & Data Science

● IoT & Engineering

Each track was supported by three distinct case studies (total of nine), tailored to mirror the

latest trends and challenges in today’s digital economy.

𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬

The hackathon stood out for its diverse and international panel of mentors and judges, comprising leading experts from academia, industry, and government. Their invaluable guidance helped shape students' projects into impactful, tech-driven solutions to real-world problems.

𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬

Out of hundreds of teams, 30 teams qualified for the grand final, including 20 USM students

and 86 non-USM students. Notably, a team from Indonesia also reached the finals. The

event drew a physical audience of over 120 people, with additional viewers joining via live

stream.

The winners of V HACK 2025 were:

●

Champion: Team HydroNet (Universiti Malaya) –

"Smart Manhole - Revolutionizing Urban Flood Prevention and Drainage Maintenance Efficiency" (RM8,000 prize)

●

First Runner-Up: Team The Try People (Asia Pacific University of Innovation and Technology (APU)) –

“Smart City Management System: EcoCity” (RM5,000 prize)

●

Second Runner-Up: Team The Interns (Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP)) – “Suaunaau” (RM2,500 prize)

𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬

V HACK 2025 continues to reinforce USM’s commitment to nurturing innovative, globally minded digital talents. Through this platform, students don't just learn — they lead, collaborate, and create solutions that can shape the future.

For more information, follow the official Instagram page

at @vhack.usm or

visit the official website: https://vhackusm.com/

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USM Computer Science Students Shine at CommTECH Nusantara 2025

The School of Computer Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), proudly congratulates two of its undergraduate students, Ashman bin Mohd Fauzi and Muhammad Aqif Wafiy bin Mohd Farid, for representing USM and Malaysia at the CommTECH Nusantara 2025 programme hosted by Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), Surabaya, Indonesia.

Held from 20th February to 4th March 2025, the event brought together international participants from across Asia and beyond to engage in cultural exchange and technological collaboration.

Organised by ITS Global Engagement, the Community and Technological Camp (CommTECH) is designed to foster cross-border understanding and interdisciplinary collaboration. This year’s programme centred around key global challenges, featuring workshops on sustainable development, community empowerment, and digital innovation, as well as immersive cultural activities that included traditional Indonesian music, dance, and language learning sessions.

Ashman and Aqif Wafiy, both from the Bachelor of Computer Science programme, actively contributed to collaborative projects and discussions with students from Japan, Thailand, and Russia, among others. They also showcased the capabilities of USM students in applying technological knowledge to community-based problem-solving, highlighting the strength of the university’s academic training and international outlook.

Their participation is a testament to USM’s commitment to nurturing globally aware graduates equipped with both technical competencies and intercultural sensitivity. “We are proud of Ashman and Aqif for their initiative and professionalism throughout the programme. Their involvement aligns well with USM’s vision of Transforming Higher Education for a Sustainable Tomorrow,” said the Dean of the School of Computer Sciences.

USM continues to encourage student involvement in international platforms such as CommTECH to cultivate leadership, innovation, and a global mindset. Programmes like these not only provide exposure to real-world issues but also empower students to be proactive contributors in the global arena.

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CS USM DEAN'S LIST AWARD CEREMONY (SEMESTER 2, 2023/2024)

The Dean’s List Awards Ceremony was held on January 24, 2025, in DKG31 at the School of Computer Science, honoring the tireless efforts and exceptional academic achievements of the awardees.

A total of 270 recipients, including 6 postgraduates and 264 undergraduates, were honored with the Dean's List Award by the esteemed Dean of the School of Computer Science, Associate Professor Dr. Wan Mohd Nazmee Wan Zainon. Notably, the top 10 performers from each academic year (Year 1 to Year 4) received additional tokens of recognition, underscoring their outstanding achievements.

A heartfelt appreciation goes to Dr. Alhamzah, Postdoctoral Fellow of CS USM, for his thoughtful gesture of contributing delightful Mizu Cafe ice cream to all awardees, making the celebration even sweeter and more memorable.

Congratulations to all recipients of the Dean’s List Award for Semester 2, Academic Session 2023/2024! Your perseverance, dedication, and outstanding achievements are truly inspirational. May this recognition motivate you to reach even greater heights in your academic and personal endeavors. Well done, and best wishes for a bright future ahead!

LRG 7903

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Congratulations: Datathon 2024 Organized by Universiti Malaya Data Analytics Club (UMDAC)

Three third-year students from the School of Computer Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, i.e., Lee Ying Shen, Lim Ting Juin, and Lai Yicheng, proudly emerged as the 2nd Runner-up in Datathon 2024. Organized by the Univrsiti Malaya Data Analytics Club (UMDAC), the competition was held on 27 Dec 2024, at the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, Universiti Malaya.

Besides certificate of achievement, the team’s exceptional performance earned them a cash prize of RM1000. Datathon 2024 focused on the theme of data analytics in cryptocurrency, challenging participants to apply their analytical expertise and innovative thinking to tackle complex issues in the fast-paced digital assets landscape. This achievement reflects their hard work, creativity, and teamwork.

Kudos to “Milo Ikat Bawah”.

UMDAC

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Tahniah dan Syabas!

Pusat Pengajian Sains Komputer ingin merakamkan ucapan setinggi-tinggi tahniah kepada Prof. Madya Dr. Wan Mohd Nazmee Wan Zainon di atas pelantikan sebagai Dekan Pusat Pengajian Sains Komputer, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) untuk sesi 2025-2027.

Tidak lupa juga ucapan tahniah kepada Dr. Mohd Adib Hj Omar atas pelantikan sebagai Timbalan Dekan Akademik, Kerjaya & Antarabangsa dan Prof. Madya Dr. Wong Li Pei atas perlantikan sebagai Timbalan Dekan Penyelidikan, Inovasi & Penglibatan Komuniti Industri (sessi 2025-2027).

Semoga pelantikan ini menjadi pemangkin kepada kejayaan yang lebih cemerlang dalam memacu kecemerlangan akademik, penyelidikan, dan inovasi di Pusat Pengajian Sains Komputer, USM.

-----------------------

Congratulations!

The School of Computer Sciences wishes to extend its highest congratulations to Prof. Madya Dr. Wan Mohd Nazmee Wan Zainon on his appointment as the Dean of the School of Computer Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) for the 2025-2027 session.

The School of Computer Sciences also extends its congratulations to Dr. Mohd Adib Hj Omar, Deputy Dean of Academic, Career & International, and Prof. Madya Dr. Wong Li Pei, Deputy Dean of Research, Innovation & Community Industry Engagement (2025-2027 session).

May this appointment be a catalyst for greater success in driving academic excellence, research, and innovation at the School of Computer Sciences, USM.

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USM Hosted MY Universities Hackathon 2024 and Won Biggest Prize Pool in Ethereum Track

USM, Pulau Pinang, November 9, 2024: The MY Universities Hackathon 2024 was organised by HackQuest, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). The event, which ran from September to November 2024, was also co-hosted with KIP Protocol and Open Campus. It was also sponsored by the Ethereum Foundation and Road to Devon. The event is also supported by the USM Google Development Student Club.

From September to October 2024, around 230 students joined the preliminary activities of the hackathon which included various virtual workshops and consultancy sessions, organised by HackQuest and Open Campus. The hackathon had multiple tracks including the Gaianet track, the Ethereum track, as well as the Best Business Plan track. The top 10 finalist teams were selected to compete in the final demo day which was held in the School of Computer Sciences at USM on 9^th November 2024. The finalists comprised undergraduate and postgraduate students from various public and private universities such as USM, UTM, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Southern University College, Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology, University Putra Malaysia, Multimedia University (MMU), Cyberjaya, and Asia Pacific University.

On the final demo day. The finalist teams competed in stage pitching and project demonstration sessions. The judges included Ts. Dr. Mohd Najwadi Yusoff (USM, as judge coordinator), Dr. Jennifer Dodgson from KIP Protocol, Mr. Ching Sue Hok, the CEO of Getcto Sdn Bhd, Ms Venus Khor, the Chief Brand Officer of Masverse, and Mr. Joseph Saw, a Senior Developer from Floki. There are also four industry and academic talks given by Mr. Manish Barnwal, Dev Rel from HackQuest, Dr. Jennifer Dodgson from KIP Protocol, Associate Professor Dr. Manmeet Kaur Mahinderjit Singh from the School of Computer Sciences, USM, and Ts. Dr. Nur Haliza Binti Abdul Wahab, Head of Pervasive Computing Research Group (PCRG), Faculty of Computing, UTM.

The final demo day winner list is as follows:

Ethereum Track Grand Prize (RM4500)

Team Smart X

Tham Siew Teng, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
Jacky Chung Sze Yung, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
Kam Soon Cheng, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)

Gaianet Track

First prize (RM2000)

Team Syntax Samurai

Raakesh A/L A Ovannan, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
Abdul Rohman Bin Mahmood, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
Navindran A/L Raghupathy, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
Puventhiran A/L Ganeson, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
Hisyamuddin Firdaus Bin Hamzah, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)

Second prize (RM1500)

Team Xyphra Coders

Mira Praveena A/P Kasinathan, Asia Pacific University
Sugeetha A/P Kesava Pillai, Asia Pacific University
Imanie Sofea binti Mohd Zulhairi, Asia Pacific University
Riteikes A/L A Prakash, Asia Pacific University
Mathumita A/P Muraly, Asia Pacific University

Best Business Plan Track

First prize (RM380)

Team Smart X

Tham Siew Teng, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
Jacky Chung Sze Yung, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
Kam Soon Cheng, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)

Second prize (RM380)

Team KKL

Chai Kok Cheng, University Putra Malaysia
Ling Yu Qian, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
Low Kah Xuan, Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology
Loo Jia Chang, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)

Third prize (RM380)

Team PizzaintheHut

Clement Foong Wen Kai, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia
Lee Lin Huie, Southern University College

1. Group Photo

2. Prizes on stage

3. Academic Guest Talk by PM Dr. Manmeet

4. USM Winning Team for Ethereum Track and Best Business Plan Track

5. All winners

6. Panel judges

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