“NOVA demonstrates how young innovators can combine creativity, agility, and emerging technologies to address real-world challenges and create meaningful impact,” says Prof. HUI Kai-Lung, Associate Provost (Academic Development) of HKUST and Director of the Center for Technology and Business Ecosystem (CTBE).
The spirit of innovation was on full display at the Hong Kong final pitch fest of NOVA: National AI Creativity Competition, jointly organized by CTBE, the HKUST Shanghai Alumni Chapter, and the Tencent Research Institute to celebrate the 35th anniversary of HKUST.
Insights from CTBE: From left, Prof. HUI Kai-Lung, Director of CTBE; Prof. MENG Zhaoli, Associate Director of CTBE; and Ms. Tracy LIU, Advisor to CTBE and President of the HKUST Shanghai Alumni Chapter.
The competition attracted proposals from 166 students representing 46 teams across 13 local institutions. Following the initial selection, 34 students from ten teams across seven institutions advanced to the Hong Kong final pitch in August, where they presented their ideas to a judging panel across three tracks: Social Impact, Creative Arts and Business Efficiency.
Formed by students of HKUST, team WalkWithU took the top prize with its project, “AI Smart Insole × Alzheimer’s disease × Fall risk prediction.” HAXEGON from HKU won the second prize for “Making farming easy for all,” while Maipal from PolyU received the third prize for “An AI Traditional Chinese Medicine Wellness Companion.” The remaining seven teams received Special Awards or Honorable Mentions.
The champion team includes five HKUST students: LAM Hiu Ying, ZHANG Chun Kit (absent), Rebekah CHEUNG, Ella ZHANG, and TAM Hoi Lee.
The successful conclusion of NOVA highlights the potential of young innovators to harness emerging technologies and creative ideas to tackle real-world challenges.