INTI International College Penang recently hosted the Technovate Challenge 2.0, an event that brought together the innovative ideas and academic excellence of final-year engineering students. Held on 2 July 2024, in collaboration with Coventry University, the challenge showcased creative projects aimed at solving real-world problems, demonstrating INTI’s commitment to shaping the future of engineering.
The Technovate Challenge 2.0 allowed students to transform their classroom learning into practical solutions, emphasising creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork across different disciplines. Dr Solahuddin Yusuf, a Senior Lecturer from the School of Engineering at INTI, highlighted the event’s significance: “This challenge allows our students to showcase their creativity and problem-solving skills. It also helps them prepare for the industry by promoting collaboration and innovation.”
(From left) Hemalatha Murugiah, Chief Executive of INTI International College Penang, Lian Jie Sheng, a final-year student from the School of Engineering who received a bronze award for his project “Robust Object Detection and Tracking System Using Machine Learning on Raspberry Pi,” and Dr. Haarindra Prasad Rajintra Prasat, Dean of the School of Engineering.
Projects were evaluated based on originality, effectiveness, technical feasibility, commercial potential, and presentation skills. These criteria encouraged students to innovate in technically sound and marketable ways. Dr Solahuddin emphasised that these standards are vital in equipping students with the varied demands of the engineering industry.
One of the standout projects was by Chuah Hui Suen, a final-year student who developed a “Medium Range Facial Recognition for Attendance Recording” system. This project, which achieved 93% accuracy at distances over three meters, earned her the Silver award. Hui Suen reflected on her experience, saying, “Presenting my project to the judges was a valuable learning opportunity. It pushed me to explain technical details clearly and defend my design choices.”
Another noteworthy project was Lian Jie Sheng’s “Robust Object Detection and Tracking System Using Machine Learning on Raspberry Pi,” which won the Bronze award. Jie Sheng acknowledged the benefits of collaborating with Coventry University, stating, “The resources and mentorship from Coventry University greatly improved my project. The competition helped me build my technical skills and prepare for the high standards of the engineering profession.”
Hemalatha Murugiah, Chief Executive of INTI International College Penang, emphasised the importance of partnerships like the one with Coventry University. She remarked, “These collaborations elevate the quality of our students’ work to meet global standards, enhancing their competitiveness on an international level.”
In addition to showcasing their technical abilities, the Technovate Challenge 2.0 provided students with valuable feedback and exposure to industry expectations. The event ensured that the knowledge and innovations developed by the students could contribute to the broader engineering community, further advancing the field.
(From left) Gold winner Ooi Wei Soong, a final-year student from the School of Engineering, with his project supervisor Ts. Tajul Afiq Tajul Arus, showcasing the award-winning project “Performance Analysis of Hybrid Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT): Combined Bach-Savonius with Inner Blades and H-Darrieus.”