Bachelor of Information Technology students Chong Guan Na, Tian Long Lai, Yelly Juhady, Boon Yong Tan, Joe Ee Chan and Teck Huat Tan, who study with CSU through the HELP Institute in Kuala Lumpur, are following in the footsteps of two fellow CSU students who blitzed a highly competitive field to take out first and second prize in the same competition last year.

The award, to be announced at a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur on Monday 7 July, encourages entrants to develop user-friendly mobile Internet applications with “strong” models that benefit the developer, service provider and consumer.

Na, Lai and Juhady created a multimedia messaging system for General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and third generation (3G) phones, which would enable users to buy gifts via their handpiece and allow for advertising, with special offers available instantly. A security system for electronic card use is also included.

Meanwhile, Tan, Chan and Tan created an integrated order system, from Short Message Service (SMS) to the Internet that would allow consumers to order pizzas and other such products via their phone. It would also enable retail outlets to automatically respond to orders and provide special offers.

“Mobile computing is popular in Asia for the information technology industry and the Ericsson @ Cut-Edge competition gives recognition to local talent who develop inspired applications,” said CSU School of Information Studies lecturer, Anthony Chan. 

“It will be a fantastic honour for the University if our students win again this year.”

Competition entrants were expected to develop models that require no manual, no difficult start-up procedures, an access time of two seconds and an application that would take no more than three clicks to reach the content selected by the user.

Mr Chan said the Ericsson Kacip @ Cut-Edge Award Competition is designed to focus on what the consumer wants.

“As stated on the official competition website, consumers want services that are attractive and user-friendly at the same time – it says the technology behind the mobile services should be perceived as invisible while providing a rich experience to the user,” he said.