Libby Roberts
24 November 2021: Wearable devices that can prevent and detect falls, automated meal recording systems and a management system to streamline administration processes – these were the winners at the School of Information Technology and Systems (ITS) Capstone Project Expo for Semester Two.
Held at the end of each semester, the ITS Capstone Project Expo celebrates the top student groups from both undergraduate and postgraduate capstone units, as they share their semester-long projects for industry partners or University academics, aimed at solving complex real-world problems.
This hands-on experience and industry mentorship is an essential part of the Faculty of Science and Technology, where the School of ITS sits, so they can graduate work ready, world ready and future ready.
This semester’s expo was held virtually on Thursday 18 November – a dedicated website was created for the students to showcase their presentations and demonstrations via a video, and their posters as PDF files.
The event did not disappoint, with more than 100 people attending virtually, one team taking out two prizes and a tie for the Best Demonstration prize.
Students Divya Packianathan, Liam Faulder and Sherine Dia’s project UC Capstone Project Management System tied for Best Demonstration.
“It's a very hands-on unit and very different to the other units – a good experience, and you definitely need good teamwork,” said Ms Dia.
Ms Packianathan said the most valuable thing she learnt was being able to learn from and with other students in her group.
“I had to learn a lot about working remotely in a team - it's not my preferred method of working but I'm really glad our group was so supportive of each other, because it made for a really positive overall experience,” she said.
Mr Faulder said he was excited and proud of everything they had learnt and achieved, and the feedback from attendees at the event was encouraging.
“I was especially excited by the comments saying the University should use the system in future semesters – it's incredible to think that our project could actually be used in a meaningful way in the future,” he said.
Parimala Banda and Nandana Odayammadathu Malethu Veedu won both the Best Poster and Best Presentation categories for their project Exploration of the use of wearable devices to prevent and detect falls and monitor gait using open-source SDKs.
“I felt overwhelmed and elated after winning in not one but both categories!” said Ms Odayammadathu.
“It already felt like a win when I found out that we were among the top finalists for the Best Presentation category. It took a lot of work to get the project to how we wanted it to be, but we managed to pull it off and I’m more than grateful that our efforts were recognised.”
Ms Banda said she learnt how important open communication is between stakeholders, as well as the importance of obtaining feedback throughout the project.
“Additionally, I have also learnt the importance of understanding the difficulties the elderly face in the event of a fall, and we aim to do our part to help them live an independent life free from life-threatening falls and injuries.”
The full list of winners can be viewed on the Capstone Project Expo website.
The School of Information Technology and Systems would like to thank the following partners:
- ACT Revenue Office
- Albatross Governance
- Australian Government Department of Health
- Catholic Education
- Deloitte
- Diversity Arrays
- Fair Canberra Inc.
- Goterra
- Hope Holistic Care
- Hyper Scalers
- Miller Health Pty Ltd
- ACT Government Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
- PwC
