- APU’s MySelamat uses real-time data and AI to enable faster flood rescues
- Hackathon showcased how academia–industry partnerships are nurturing next-generation AI talent
In a showcase of innovation and teamwork, Team Ctrl + Chill from the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) emerged as champion of the Great Malaysia AI Hackathon 2025, an Asean-level competition that attracted 1,741 participants from across the region.
Their winning project, MySelamat, is an AI-driven natural disaster response system designed to enhance the speed and accuracy of flood rescue operations. By integrating real-time, crowdsourced social media data with AI-powered rescue route planning via Google Maps APII, the system demonstrated strong potential to transform how communities respond to natural disasters.
Held in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), the hackathon brought together students, professionals, and industry mentors to solve real-world challenges using artificial intelligence. Recognised by Asean Records as the largest on-site AI hackathon jointly organised by academia and industry, it underscores Malaysia’s growing prominence as a digital innovation hub.
Team Ctrl + Chill, comprising data analytics and AI students Cheng Kar Meng (team lead), Samantha Tee Ker Xin, Charlotte Chen Zi Shan, Ong Ying Xin, and Richard Ong Tze Xin impressed the judges with their concept and seamless execution. Beyond predictive alerts, MySelamat combines AI-powered SOS requests, risk-aware navigation, and crowdsourced verification to help victims, rescuers, and authorities coordinate effectively during emergencies.
“Every AI feature in MySelamat was designed not for complexity’s sake, but to strengthen human decision-making during floods. We wanted to prove that technology can serve empathy — turning data into life-saving decisions,” said Cheng.
Reflecting on their win, Cheng added, “Reaching the top 20 out of more than 300 teams was surreal. We spent countless nights refining our idea and perfecting our pitch. Winning wasn’t just a trophy — it proved that passion and collaboration can create real impact.”
Behind every great student team is a mentor who brings out their best. Chong Mien May, senior lecturer at APU’s School of Computing, was instrumental in shaping the team’s journey.
“They weren’t just building an app — they were solving a human problem,” Chong said. “Their idea of integrating social media data with AI-driven route planning was forward-thinking. What impressed me most was their agility — they took feedback quickly and turned a good idea into an exceptional one.”
The hackathon, launched by Gobind Singh Deo, minister of digital, on 20 September 2025, was both a competition and a celebration of innovation. Organised by APU’s School of Computing and hosted on APU’s campus,, the event drew 1,547 university students and 194 industry professionals, competing for a US$23,000 (RM110,000) prize pool.
With twenty industry mentors and participation even from Malaysian students studying at Durham University and Cambridge University, the hackathon embodied Asean’s digital unity.
The award ceremony, held at AWS Malaysia’s office on 12 October, saw Team Solo Panda (University of Malaya) and Team Kiwi Birds (Heriot-Watt University Malaysia) named runners-up in the student track, while winners of the corporate track came from StoreHub, EPOS, and Duerr Dental.
The hackathon’s success reflected APU’s longstanding commitment to fostering digital talent. The initiative was spearheaded by associate professor Dr Tan Chin Ike, head of the School of Computing, and supported by Amad Arshad, senior lecturer and organising committee lead.
“We wanted to bring together students, professionals, and cutting-edge technologies under one roof,” said Amad. “With AWS and MDEC on board, it became a powerhouse of creativity and collaboration. The record participation reaffirms that Malaysia’s youth are ready to lead the AI revolution.”
Dr Tan added, “I’m proud of my colleagues and the organising committee for their tireless work. This reflects APU’s vision to produce not only technically skilled graduates, but also innovators and leaders.”
The success of Team Ctrl + Chill and the Great Malaysia AI Hackathon 2025 underscores Malaysia’s growing progress in digital transformation. The event highlights how collaboration between academia and industry can drive real technological progress across the Asean region.
