University life isn’t just about classes and coursework — it’s about staying informed, getting involved, and making the most of campus experiences. At INTI International University, a team of students saw how overwhelming this could be when important updates, club events, and student services were scattered across multiple apps and platforms.
The Universe team, consisting of (left to right) Serene Yu Yi Xuan, Chong Jun Kang, Koh Sher Yee, Sow Suet Ying, Alea Rasyadah Abdul Aziz, and Yuva Shankary from the Faculty of Business and Communications, INTI International University.
Their solution? Universe App — a single, student-focused platform that pulls everything together in one place. Developed by students from the Faculty of Business and Communications (FBC) and led by Bachelor of Mass Communications student Alea Rasyadah Abdul Aziz, the app recently earned third place in INTI’s 5-Minute Innovative Pitch event, held under the university’s Design Thinking subject.
Prototype of the Universe student app.
“We realised that students often struggle to keep up because information is everywhere — different apps, different channels,” said Alea. “We wanted to create something that puts everything students care about in one place, making campus life more connected, organised, and exciting.”
The Universe App is built to streamline and enhance student experience. It features a central dashboard for official announcements and event updates, a Clubs & Events section for activity discovery and registration, and a Marketplace where students can buy or sell second-hand items like textbooks and financial calculators. There’s also a Community Feed for students to share updates, connect with peers, build a sense of community, and a Food Feature to help students find nearby dining options.
By bringing all these elements together into one platform, the app helps reduce the information overload that can make campus life feel fragmented. New students can settle in faster, and returning students can stay engaged without juggling multiple apps.
Universe App exemplifies how INTI fosters innovation and prioritises students. “It shows that INTI is serious about not just providing education, but also enhancing the overall student journey,” said Alea. “It reflects a university that listens to its students and embraces new ideas.”
The Universe team, along with their supervisor, Dr. Venoth Dex (centre), received their third-place prize on stage at the 5-Minute Innovative Pitch competition.
The app’s success at the 5-Minute Innovative Pitch shows what can happen when students are trusted to take the lead. With design thinking built into how they learn, INTI students aren’t just solving classroom problems but creating practical tools that improve campus life.