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Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) celebrated a remarkable triumph at PayHack 2025, Malaysia’s largest annual intervarsity hackathon, with all three of its competing teams returning as winners.
In a competition that began with 97 entries, narrowed to 33 semifinalists and ultimately to a Top-17 final, APU’s three elite teams emerged with Second Place, Fourth Place, and a Consolation Prize – a clean sweep that left no team empty-handed.
National Stage for Innovation
Held from 2–3 August 2025 at Xsolla Curine Academy, KL EcoCity, PayHack 2025 was organised by PayNet Akar in collaboration with Ant International, and proudly supported by APU.
The hackathon formed part of Digital Payments Week, an annual initiative aimed at advancing Malaysia’s digital economy agenda by bringing together some of the country’s brightest and most innovative minds to reshape the future of digital payments.
PayNet Akar, a talent development initiative by Payments Network Malaysia (PayNet), focuses on building a sustainable pipeline of digitally skilled talent for the financial services industry.
Ant International, a global leader in digital payment solutions and fintech innovation under Ant Group, contributed international expertise and industry mentorship, enriching the competition with global perspectives.
Cross-School Collaboration – The Winning Edge
The remarkable success of APU’s delegation was powered by interdisciplinary collaboration involving three of the university’s key academic divisions—the School of Technology (SoT), the School of Computing (SoC), and the School of Accounting & Finance (SoAF).
Students drew from a wide range of expertise—spanning software engineering, data analytics, actuarial studies, and artificial intelligence—to produce impactful, industry-relevant solutions.
The winning teams were:
Team Roti CanAI – comprising Ang Jvi Hng, Lai Ee Loon, Lai Lok Ze, Tan Shu Rou, and Tong Ming Hong, who are pursuing Software Engineering and Artificial Intelligence degrees. Guided by SoC’s Ms Tan Li June and Ms Chong Mien May, the team secured Second Place and a RM12,000 cash prize. Their project impressed the judges with its integration of AI-driven solutions designed to promote cashless transactions and broaden digital payment adoption.
Team Roti CanAI is announced as the Second Place winner and receives its mock cheque on stage to the cheers of the audience. The team later brings it back to campus to celebrate with their mentor. From left: Mentor Ms Tan Li June, Lai Ee Loon, Tan Shu Rou, Ang Jvi Hng, Lai Lok Ze, Tong Ming Hong.
Team Da House, comprising Low Yan Cheng (Computer Science with Data Analytics), Lim Agnes Ngee Jin, Tan Hui Xin, Lim Li Ying, and Tee Sze Ying — the latter four all pursuing an Actuarial Studies specialism in Data Analytics degree — achieves Fourth Place and a RM3,000 cash prize for their creative and practical approach.
Team Da House celebrates its victory at the ceremony and later back on campus. From left: Tee Sze Ying, Lim Agnes Ngee Jin, Lim Li Ying, Tan Hui Xin, and Low Yan Cheng.
Team kreate, consisting of Lee Xin Rou (Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science), Lee Yi En (Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science with a specialism in Data Analytics), and Chin Hong Wei (Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Software Engineering). The team’s data-driven solution earned them a Consolation Prize and RM1,000, recognising their innovative use of analytics to address payment adoption barriers.
A 24-Hour Test of Skill and Resilience
PayHack is renowned for its challenging format—a 24-hour continuous competition that pushes participants to their limits. Over two days, the teams worked tirelessly, including overnight development sessions, to produce functional prototypes and robust business models.
Judging criteria placed equal emphasis on originality, business impact, and technical execution. Each solution had to address specific problem statements relevant to Malaysia’s digital payment landscape, with consideration for user adoption, long-term scalability, and regulatory compliance.
Participants also benefited from direct mentorship by experts from Ant International, PayNet, and leading banks. These industry professionals provided critical feedback, helping teams refine their prototypes into viable, market-ready concepts.
Behind the Scenes – Academic Commitment
The success of APU’s teams was underpinned by the commitment and coordination of its academic staff. The organising committee included:
School of Technology (SoT) – Ms Hemalata Vasudavan, Ms Tham Hoong Ching, and Mr Shahab Alizadeh; School of Computing (SoC) – Ms Tan Li June and Ms Chong Mien May; School of Accounting & Finance (SoAF) – Mr Kannan Asokan and Ms Kavitha Arunasalam.
The teams’ preparation and participation were guided and supported by Associate Professor Dr Thang Ka Fei, Senior Head of School of Technology (SoT); Associate Professor Ts Dr Tan Chin Ike, Head of School of Computing; and Associate Professor Dr Chong Lee Lee, Head of School of Accounting & Finance (SoAF).
A Testament to APU’s Industry-Focused Education
Now in its eighth year, PayHack has established itself as a proving ground for emerging digital innovators. For APU, sweeping three titles in a single edition of the competition demonstrates not only the calibre of its students but also the effectiveness of its industry-relevant, multidisciplinary teaching approach.
This success reinforces APU’s position as a leading institution in producing graduates who are technically competent, adaptable, and capable of meeting evolving industry demands—especially in high-growth sectors such as fintech and digital services.
Sharing his thoughts, Assoc Prof Dr Thang Ka Fei remarked, “This outstanding achievement underscores the strength of APU’s interdisciplinary ecosystem. Our students demonstrated creativity, resilience, and the ability to apply their skills to real-world challenges in digital payments, a sector that is critical to Malaysia’s future growth.”
“It also reflects the dedication of our academic mentors and the collaborative spirit across our Schools. Supporting PayHack 2025 has been a rewarding experience, and we are immensely proud of the excellence and professionalism shown by our students,” he continued.
With their achievements at PayHack 2025, APU students have once again proven that innovation thrives at the intersection of technology, creativity, and real-world relevance—and that the university’s graduates are ready to lead the way in shaping the nation’s digital economy.