TL;DR: Dell Technologies hosted its inaugural InnovateFest, a competition aimed at nurturing future technologists and encouraging innovative solutions for societal advancement in Singapore. In partnership with the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS), the event focused on improving the lives of Persons with Intellectual Disability (PWIDs). Teams from various Institutes of Higher Learning presented their creations, with SportyBuddies and FoodFriend emerging as champions. The winning solutions, incorporating augmented reality and user-friendly interfaces, received cash prizes, furthering Dell’s commitment to using technology for human progress.
Empowering the Next Generation of Technologists
Dell Technologies’ inaugural InnovateFest brought together students from seven participating Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) in Singapore. The competition, organized in collaboration with MINDS, focused on developing tech-driven solutions to enhance the lives of Persons with Intellectual Disability (PWIDs).
Innovative Solutions for Social Responsibility
Teams were tasked with leveraging technology to address specific problem statements related to sports, arts, active aging, and community inclusivity for PWIDs. The goal was to create tangible improvements that would drive social progress and inclusivity.
Champion Solutions: SportyBuddies and FoodFriend
Team DAAAL.E from Singapore Polytechnic presented ‘SportyBuddies,’ a mobile application incorporating Augmented Reality (AR) features. This innovative solution encourages PWIDs to explore new sports while fostering social connections through a unique matching algorithm.
Meanwhile, Team Pathmakers from Singapore Institute of Technology introduced ‘FoodFriend,’ a user-friendly mobile application designed in consultation with MINDS. It enhances the hawker dining experience for PWIDs by providing step-by-step visual guidance on how to navigate, order, and pay for meals.
Recognition and Prizes
The winning teams received cash prizes, with Team DAAAL.E and Team Pathmakers each awarded SGD$10,000. Runner-up teams and consolation prize recipients were also recognized for their innovative contributions to the competition.
A Collaborative Effort for Greater Inclusivity
Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing commended InnovateFest, emphasizing the importance of industry-educational partnerships in creating meaningful learning experiences. The event exemplifies multi-stakeholder efforts in support of Singapore’s drive for inclusivity and modern learning.
Advancing Tech Talent through Digital Future – Made in Singapore
InnovateFest is part of Dell Technologies’ Digital Future – Made in Singapore initiative, aimed at accelerating the adoption of future-ready digital solutions and driving innovation in Singapore. This event underscores Dell’s ongoing commitment to boosting the ICT sector and nurturing a skilled talent pool in the region.
