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A team of three exceptional students from the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) has achieved an unprecedented milestone at the UMPSA x HUAWEI AppGallery Mobile App Competition 2025. Competing against more than 400 participants nationwide, Team “Hello World!” emerged as the only team to secure Top-10 finalist positions in both Track A and Track B, a historic first for the competition. 

Mentored by Ir Ts Dr Denesh Sooriamoorthy, Assistant Professor at APU’s School of Engineering (SoE), the trio—Shawn Lee Yen Zheng (Bachelor of Computer Engineering with Honours), Chan Hao Wen (Diploma in Information & Communication Technology with a specialism in Software Engineering), and Chiu Jing Xian (Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Software Engineering)—demonstrated outstanding innovation, technical capability, and cross-disciplinary problem-solving throughout the challenge held on 19 November 2025. 

Track A: Tackling Societal Needs Through Smart, Human-Centred Innovation 

Track A required students to conceptualise a mobile app addressing real-world societal issues. Standing out among over 297 contestants and more than 100 teams, the APU trio proposed NutriPal—a thoughtful, AI-powered application designed to support low-income families in planning nutritious yet affordable meals. 

NutriPal: Empowering Communities Through Accessible Nutrition 

NutriPal offers a suite of tools that combine data, affordability, and community support, including:

• AI-driven meal planning based on real-time local food prices
• Barcode scanning for instant nutritional insights
• Partnerships with grocery stores to offer discounts and surplus produce
• Health tracking tools, including BMI and nutrient balance
• A recipe-sharing community for practical, budget-friendly cooking
   

By integrating health, affordability, and community participation, NutriPal aims to combat malnutrition while promoting healthier lifestyles among underserved households. The team’s clarity of purpose, realistic execution plan, and strong presentation secured their position among the Top 10 finalists of Track A. 

Track B: From Concept to Market – APU Team Publishes a Full Mobile App 

Track B took the competition a step further by challenging students to develop, publish, and pitch a fully functional application on Huawei AppGallery. Against over 119 participants across more than 40 teams, APU’s entry showcased the team’s technical maturity and professional execution. 

BuildSmart: Championing Sustainable Construction Through AI 

Their published app, BuildSmart, is now available on Huawei AppGallery, supports sustainable construction practitioners by providing on-device materials analysis and carbon impact assessments. Key features include:

• On-device material identification (e.g., timber, glass, insulation)
• Instant embodied carbon scoring
• Recyclability insights and supplier references
• Cost estimation and eco-friendly material alternatives
• Lifecycle impact assessment, from manufacturing to installation
• Side-by-side comparison of design variants
   

By combining AI, environmental data, and sustainability principles, BuildSmart aligns closely with Malaysia’s green technology agenda. The team’s polished live demonstration, along with the successful app publication, earned them a Top 10 finalist ranking in Track B. 

A Historic Dual Achievement

APU’s Team “Hello World!” has accomplished something no team has achieved in the competition’s history: placing in the Top 10 for both tracks simultaneously. This rare achievement speaks to their discipline, creativity, and ability to transition seamlessly from ideation and social innovation to technical development and market deployment. 

Their success also highlights APU’s strong culture of mentorship and its commitment to nurturing industry-ready innovators capable of addressing diverse societal and technological challenges. 

Commending the team, Associate Professor Ir Dr Siva Kumar Sivanesan, Head of the School of Engineering, said, “The outstanding performance by Team ‘Hello World!’ exemplifies the spirit of excellence we cultivate at APU. Their ability to excel in both conceptual innovation and technical execution is a testament to their versatility and the high standards upheld by our academic and mentorship ecosystem. We are immensely proud of their achievement, which sets a remarkable benchmark for future engineering and technology innovators.”