Public transport startup Transbot wins Bayu Hackathon 2022
By Digital News Asia August 4, 2022
- To equip students with digital skills, address digital talent shortage
- Developed solutions for education, clean energy, sustainable cities
Bayu Hackathon, a collaborative programme organised by Forest Interactive Foundation, Jawala Plantation Industries and the ministry of science, technology and innovation (Mosti) Sabah has wrapped up its 36-hour hackathon.
Held from July 29 to 31, 2022, the hackathon saw Amir Kusyairie Arif, Brandon Ujin, and Munira Muhamad emerge as winners for the best project award category, with Transbot, a public transportation scheduling and booking system.
This solution was developed based on United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SGD) 11, under the sustainable cities and communities category, Forest Interactive said in a statement.
It added that the team also received the jury’s award for its innovative and well-founded idea.
According to Forest Interactive, Bayu Hackathon aims to drive diverse and inclusive digital growth by equipping participants with specialised digital skills, increase employment opportunities, and address the digital talent shortage in Malaysia.
It said the hackathon is also part of the foundation’s mission to provide educational platforms that are aligned with industry’s demands and to ensure that youths are able to keep pace with technological advancements.
With 51 shortlisted participants from Sabah, 17 groups came together to develop innovative and sustainable living solutions that address the United Nations SDGs, it said.
This included quality education, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, sustainable cities and communities for life on land, which centers on Sabah’s community issues such as accessibility to public transportation and quality education, it added.
Johary Mustapha, founder and chief executive officer for Forest Interactive, said, “I am truly glad to see such talent and enthusiasm within our participants and commend them for the innovation they have put forth in this challenge,” he added.
Jema Khan, chairman of Jawala Plantation Industries said, “As a collaborative partnership of Forest Interactive Foundation and Mosti Sabah, we fully support the trajectory of programmes that provide opportunities for Sabahan youths to demonstrate and highlight their potential in the field of technology.
Haji Yakub Khan, minister of science, technology and innovation said, “This programme is in line with our Sabah Maju Jaya ambitions to equip the community with digital skills and knowledge, as well as to nurture an intellectual, creative and innovative community.”
The organisers said all submissions for the hackathon challenge were evaluated based on criterias that include innovation and creativity, scalability and business values, presentation as well as technical implementation.
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