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The APU Sustainability Hackathon 2026 reached an exciting conclusion on 25 April 2026, marking the successful completion of its third edition with a 24-hour final challenge that brought together innovation, sustainability and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Held on the campus of Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), the multi-stage competition saw students from various academic backgrounds work together to develop tech-driven and data-centric solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). 

The hackathon concluded with three winning teams presenting practical solutions in smart energy tracking, river pollution detection and remediation, and AI-powered waste management.

Organised through a strong collaboration between APU’s School of Computing (SoC), School of Marketing & Management (SoMM), and School of Mathematics, Actuarial and Quantitative Studies (SoMAQS), the hackathon served as a platform for students to sharpen their problem-solving skills, technical abilities and teamwork across disciplines. 

More than a competition, it reflected APU’s commitment to preparing undergraduates to address real-world sustainability challenges through creativity, innovation and purposeful collaboration.

Nurturing Sustainability Champions

Delivering her opening remarks during the launch ceremony, Associate Professor Dr Devinder Kaur, Head of SoMM, underscored APU’s commitment to nurturing sustainability champions. 

“Our Sustainability Hackathon, which is an annual event at APU, is more than an internal competition. By challenging students to tackle real-world sustainability issues, we are cultivating the creativity, resilience and collaborative spirit needed to compete on global platforms. We take pride in providing a space where ideas are tested, refined and transformed into solutions that can make a meaningful impact on our communities and our planet,” said Dr Devinder. 

The organising project was led by Ms T. Tulasi Appalasamy, Senior Lecturer at SoC, who praised the growing calibre of ideas demonstrated by participants. 

“With each edition, the calibre of ideas grows stronger. Students are not just solving local problems but thinking globally. The hackathon’s core objective is to unite diverse skill sets and perspectives, encouraging students to leverage each other’s strengths while addressing real-world sustainability challenges,” remarked Ms Tulasi. 

Record Submissions and Rigorous Evaluation 

This year’s hackathon attracted a record number of submissions from across APU’s schools. Following a rigorous assessment by a panel of academic and industry judges, shortlisted teams advanced to the final 24-hour challenge, where they refined their prototypes, strengthened their presentations and demonstrated the impact of their solutions. 

Projects were evaluated based on six key criteria: creativity and originality, technology implementation, significance and practicality, product validation, feasibility, as well as presentation and execution. 

Celebrating the Top Three Winners

Strong Support Behind the Scenes

Behind the successful execution of the hackathon was a dedicated organising committee comprising Ms Harjinder Kaur and Mr David Ng Kok Meng from SoMM, and Mr Lee Chee Nian from SoMAQS. The team was also supported by Ms Siti Fairuz, Mr Justin Gilbert and Mr Nicholas Teh from SoC, internal mentors, Ir Ts Subhashini Gopal Krishnan from SoE, and Dr Beh Ching Yew, Head of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at APU.

CyberView served as the valued sponsor, with external mentors Mr Mohd Faisal Abdur Rani, Certified Green Project Manager, and Ms Farah Wahida Jamaludin, Assistant Manager, Sustainability Risk & Sustainability Department, enriching participants’ learning experience. CyberView was also represented by Ms Sofea Balqis Saiful Bahri, Executive of the Sustainability Risk & Sustainability Department.

Also present was Ts Dr Norsaidatul Akmar Mazelan, CEO of Think Plus Group of Companies, who served as the external judge.

In preparing students for the final challenge, the organising committee also arranged a workshop titled “Sustainability Practices in Projects”, delivered on 13 April 2026 by Mr Vijayaraj C. Vijayasingam, Senior Lecturer at SoT. The session helped participants deepen their understanding of sustainable project development and integrate practical approaches into their prototypes. Student mentors and volunteers also played a pivotal role in guiding teams throughout the hackathon journey.

Sharpening Skills Through Serious Training

Just as skills are sharpened through consistent practice, the APU Sustainability Hackathon pushes students beyond classroom learning through real-world innovation challenges. It strengthens their ability to collaborate across disciplines, apply professional knowledge and champion meaningful solutions that contribute to a more sustainable future.