Dell Technologies has held its second InnovateFest in Singapore, partnering with social service agencies Lions Befrienders and Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS) to focus on combatting social isolation among seniors and those with intellectual disabilities. The event saw ten teams from ten institutions of higher learning compete in a hackathon, with the winners receiving SGD$10,000 each. Team Snoopy from Ngee Ann Polytechnic came first with their mobile application SocialCompass, while Singapore Institute of Technology (University of Glasgow Singapore) team 343 were victorious with JioTogether. The event aimed to boost students' AI and Gen AI skills using tools from partners including Red Hat, NVIDIA, and Microsoft.```html

Dell InnovateFest 2024: Hackathon Tackles Social Isolation for Seniors and PWIDs

Dell Technologies successfully concluded its second edition of InnovateFest in Singapore, bringing together young innovative minds to harness technology in addressing pressing societal issues. Partnering with social service agencies Lions Befrienders and Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS), the hackathon aimed to combat social isolation among seniors and persons with intellectual disabilities (PWIDs).

Story Highlights

• Team Snoopy from Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Team 343 from Singapore Institute of Technology (University of Glasgow Singapore) emerged as champions at the grand finals of InnovateFest 2024.
• Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung presented the prizes to the winners.

About InnovateFest 2024

Dell Technologies (NYSEELL) today concluded the finals of its second InnovateFest, an inter-tertiary school competition in Singapore designed to empower aspiring technologists to create innovative solutions that drive human progress. This year's event, in collaboration with social service agencies Lions Befrienders and Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS), focused on leveraging technology to combat social isolation faced by seniors and persons with intellectual disabilities (PWIDs).

Social isolation is a critical issue impacting both the elderly and the PWIDs community, leading to health issues like depression and anxiety. By 2030, one in four Singaporeans will be 65 years old or older, heightening the risk of isolation among seniors. Additionally, PWIDs also encounter difficulties in social communication, grappling with cues, boundaries, and behaviors.

Grand Finals and Winning Projects

The grand finals were held at the National Gallery Singapore and showcased the remarkable talent and creativity of the participants. Team Snoopy from Ngee Ann Polytechnic proposed a mobile application called SocialCompass and Team 343 from Singapore Institute of Technology (University of Glasgow Singapore) with their solution, JioTogether, emerged as the champions. The winning polytechnic and university teams walked away with the top prizes of SGD10,000 each.

Winning Projects - Bridging Technology and Social Responsibility

• SocialCompass by Team Snoopy from Ngee Ann Polytechnic: An inclusive mobile application designed to empower PWIDs to master social interactions via immersive and gamified training features.
• JioTogether by Team 343 from Singapore Institute of Technology (University of Glasgow Singapore): An innovative mobile application designed to rekindle the kampung spirit among seniors by empowering them to participate in and volunteer for a wide range of communal activities organized by local care centres, facilitated using a point-based reward system.

Quotes from Participants and Organizers

"Dell is dedicated to equipping our next generation with future-ready technology and AI skills, encouraging them to think about how they can address future societal challenges," said Andy Sim, vice president and managing director, Singapore, Dell Technologies.

"We are proud to stand alongside Dell Technologies in this impactful initiative that not only highlights the technical abilities of our youth, but also emphasizes the importance of addressing social isolation among more vulnerable communities," said Mr. Alex Lim, Chairman of Lions Befrienders.

"MINDS is pleased to be partnering with Dell once again for InnovateFest. It is heartening to see our youths actively engaged in using technology to address real-life social challenges of PWIDs," said Kelvin Koh, Chief Executive Officer, MINDS.

Highlights of InnovateFest 2024

• Enhanced Participation: Ten teams from 10 Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) competed in the grand finals.
• Adoption of Innovative Technologies: Students were exposed to advanced AI and GenAI tools such as Red Hat OpenShift, NVIDIA AI Enterprise, and Microsoft Copilot+, all supported by Dell infrastructure.
• Expert Curation and Guidance: Mentors from Dell Technologies, including specialists from the Cloud Native Architecture, Enterprise Design Group, and Data Science teams, actively offered technological insights and project guidance to the teams.
• Emphasizing Real-World Impact: These projects addressed fundamental needs like access to essential services, focusing on practical tech applications to benefit seniors and PWIDs.
• Cross-Sector Partnerships: InnovateFest 2024 highlights the power of forming extensive partnerships across various sectors.

Testimonials from Participants

"Participating in InnovateFest has been a life-changing experience. It has not only honed my technical skills but also made me more aware of the societal issues that technology can solve," said Caden Toh Jun Yi, a student from Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

"Working on a project at InnovateFest has opened my eyes to the potential of using technology in tackling social issues. I felt a genuine sense of purpose knowing that our work could make a difference in the lives of those facing social isolation," shared Peter Febrianto Afandy, a student from Singapore Institute of Technology and University of Glasgow.

To learn more about all the student projects created for InnovateFest 2024, please refer to Annex A.

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