Unleashing the potential of the students’ technological skills

Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences (FSKM), Universiti Teknologi MARA recently organised an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Final Year Project (FYP) Award on the 9th and 10th of August 2021. The event was sponsored by IEEE Computer Society Malaysia Chapter and National Autism Research Centre (NARC), Universiti Teknologi MARA. Ten (10) Final Year Projects were shortlisted from a total of 405 projects produced by final year students from six different computing programs. The ten finalists were subjected to rigorous rounds of screening and they showcased their projects via a video presentation (available on Youtube) and pitched their ideas to a panel of judges from IEEE Computer Society Malaysia Chapter and FSKM.

Professor Ts. Dr Shukor Abd Razak, the Director of Research Management Centre, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and Ts Dr Fakhrul Hazman b Yusoff from UiTM represented IEEE Computer Society Malaysia Chapter. FSKM on the other hand were represented by Professor Dr Nursuriati Jamil, Chairman National Autism Research Centre Universiti Teknologi MARA (also serving as Chief Judge) and Associate Professor Dr Fariza Hanis Abd Razak.

Mohd Zharfan Norzamri received the Grand Award with his project SCABTRE: Supermarket Checkout Apps With Budget Tracker & Recommender Using Content-Based Filtering. Zharfan proposed a self-service technology with convenient checkouts and payment process equipped with budget tracker and options for comparable products. Students’ projects were timely, relevant to current technology and highly diverse, as the projects encompassed problems which involved E-voting system, quarantine monitoring, road safety, upcycling management, environmental awareness, shopping process, and depression assessment. The solutions proposed may contribute towards achieving good health and well being which is Goal 3 of the SDG.

The competition provided a platform to showcase students’ achievements, develop high-level technical skills as well as to develop research interest among students. Importantly, the competition environment promotes the opportunity to produce work of a quality well beyond their qualification level besides developing their confidence skills which are useful for their future careers. Additionally, it serves as a cornerstone to further strengthen the linkages between IEEE Computer Society Malaysia Chapter and FSKM.