Lee Jun Yeh and Eaton Seau Yin Cheng from Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), have brought pride to the university by securing the First Runner-Up title and a cash prize of RM2,000 at Hackathon X: FinTech Forward 2026, held on 11th June 2026 at Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA).

The team also included Jaydon Lye, a student from Crescendo International College, who made substantial contributions to the team’s success.

This success was made possible through the mentorship of Ms Wong Huey Wern (Senior Lecturer, School of Business at APU) and Dr Rachel Lua Hooi Ming (Lecturer, School of Marketing and Management at APU).

The competition was organised by Persatuan Mahasiswa Teknologi Komputer (PETAKOM), UMPSA, in collaboration with Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad, challenging university students from across Malaysia to develop innovative application solutions integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and financial literacy to address real-world financial challenges, while evaluating their innovation, technical implementation, problem-solving, and presentation skills.

Developing an AI-Powered FinTech Solution

The team’s proposed solution centred on an innovative voucher application designed to connect local merchants directly with consumers, eliminating unnecessary intermediary costs, while creating a more efficient and accessible marketplace.

By leveraging a voucher-based advertising model, the application enables merchants to promote their products and services more effectively, while allowing consumers to enjoy greater savings through exclusive offers.

Addressing practical challenges faced by both businesses and consumers, the solution demonstrated a strong understanding of current market needs by enhancing cost efficiency, increasing business visibility, and encouraging direct engagement between merchants and customers.

A Meaningful learning Experience

Comments by Jun Yeh: 

“At first, i wondered why we were there and whether we really deserved to compete against teams that seemed much stronger than us, but reaching the finals proved that we belonged there and motivated me to give my best throughout the competition.

“Beyond the achievement itself, the experience strengthened my confidence and equipped me with valuable programming knowledge, stronger presentation skills, and a greater ability to recognise new opportunities.”

Comments by Eaton: 

“We joined the competition simply to gain experience, and never imagined that we would qualify, let alone reach the finals.

“The journey taught me that we should not underestimate ourselves, because sometimes we are capable of much more than we expect.

“It also reinforced the importance of teamwork, preparation, confidence, and staying calm under pressure,” he said. 

A Testament to Innovation and Entrepreneurial Excellence

This achievement reflects the creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial mindset demonstrated by the students throughout the competition.

More importantly, the competition served as a platform for learning and personal development, where the students were able to apply their knowledge in a practical setting, gain confidence in their abilities, and strengthen their readiness for future challenges in the digital and entrepreneurial landscape.

In addition, this success reflects APU’s continued commitment to providing students with opportunities to engage in experiential learning, industry-driven competitions, and innovation-focused initiatives that support their holistic development and prepare them for future careers.