Mobile Application Challenge 8.0 solidifies Sarawak’s position as talent devt platform

KUCHING (Feb 3): The Mobile Application Challenge 8.0 has further strengthened Sarawak’s position as a platform for local and international digital talent development.

The competition was organised by Universiti Malaysia Sarawak’s (Unimas) Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), SRAMS Sdn Bhd, and Sarawak Skills.

The programme aimed to equip students with practical skills in mobile app development, innovation and emerging digital technologies through hands-on problem-solving, mentorship and project presentations, said a press release.

The participants progressed through a guided development process before presenting their final projects at the grand final.

A total of 100 participants from 12 institutions took part in this year’s edition, including Unimas, University of Technology Sarawak, Multimedia University, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Curtin University Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology, International College of Advanced Technology Sarawak (i-CATS), Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, Xiamen University Malaysia, Sarawak Skills, and Indonesia’s Padang State Polytechnic.

Following the evaluation process, 20 projects were shortlisted to compete at the final stage.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap said the programme played an important role in nurturing young talent and encouraging innovation among students.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Skills executive director Hallman Sabri said the competition helped prepare students with technical, digital and problem-solving skills, particularly in areas related to artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

Also present were SRAMS Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Peter Ong, Unimas Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology dean Prof Dr Jane Labadin, and Mobile Application Challenge 8.0 project manager Assoc Prof Dr Cheah Wai Shiang.