Kota Samarahan — A team of students from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) has earned a spot among the top 10 finalists in the 4th Annual IEEE SA Telehealth Tech Pitch Competition.
The UNIMAS team is the only finalist from Malaysia, standing alongside other top teams from the United States, Bulgaria, Canada, India, and Türkiye.
Each team brought forward innovative digital health solutions, reflecting the shared commitment to addressing the healthcare needs of aging populations worldwide.
Led by Mohd Aniq Ikmal Hassan, a second-year Software Engineering student from the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology (FCSIT), the team developed an app called Memoly.
Memoly aims to support individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers by offering gentle reminders, interactive memory aids, and a user-friendly interface tailored for memory care.
The app was selected from more than 50 global submissions, reflecting its promise in addressing the competition’s central theme: “The Aging Healthy Digital Innovation Challenge.”
“The idea came from wanting to use technology to make a real difference for aging individuals and their families,” the team said in a joint statement. “We focused on developing something practical and accessible for both patients and caregivers.”
The IEEE SA Telehealth Competition highlights digital health solutions that address the growing needs of aging populations worldwide.
This year’s event culminated in a hybrid pitch forum at the IEEE Life Member Conference in Boston, where the UNIMAS team presented Memoly live to an international panel of judges.
Under the supervision of Ts. Syahrul Nizam Junaini, a senior lecturer and team advisor, the team advanced through a selection round to reach the finals.
Maria Palombini, Director of the IEEE SA Telehealth Competition, praised the resilience and creativity of this year’s finalists. “Being a health tech trailblazer in this highly competitive environment is not easy,” she said.
“Your tenacity to pitch your product to a global audience reflects your commitment to advancing decentralized healthcare solutions.”
Following their finalist placement, the UNIMAS team has been invited to join the IEEE SA Standards for Technology for the Aging Industry Connections Program—a global initiative aimed at shaping policy and technological frameworks for aging care.
For the team, the competition represents both recognition and a starting point.
They now plan to refine their app and explore potential partnerships to bring it to market.
Their success has energized the FCSIT community, providing a powerful example of how student-driven innovation can reach an international stage—and contribute meaningfully to real-world challenges.
FCSIT is one of the Premier Digital Tech Institutions endorsed by Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).
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