NUS Computing Students Shine at Codechella Tour: Singapore with
Human-Centred Innovations
NUS Computing students made a strong showing at this year’s Codechella Tour: Singapore – a nationwide innovation festival hosted by ChatAndBuild that brought together more than 200 students from 10 universities to build AI-driven solutions for real-world needs.
Four NUS teams submitted projects to the challenge. One team – MedTech Adventurers, comprising students from School of Computing (SoC) and Medicine – emerged as the 1st place winner, while another, TokToTheFuture, secured a spot in the top 10 finalist pool of 40 students. Their projects ranged from maternal mental wellness to learning motivation, nutrition, and digital inclusion – each rooted in real needs of people and communities in Singapore.
1st Place:
MedTech Adventurers – Supporting Mothers’ Postpartum Wellbeing
Team members:
- Jessica Chen – Computer Science, Year 1
- Zhang Jingze – Computer Science, Year 1
- Andrew Tay Bin Song – Medicine, Year 2
- Pranav Shivaprakash Rao – Medicine, Year 2
- Joshua Siew Yong En – Medicine, Year 2
Jessica Chen and Zhang Jingze teamed up with three Medicine students to take on a quiet but pressing challenge: supporting mothers who struggle with postpartum depression and anxiety. In Singapore, one in seven mothers experience postpartum depression, and 50% go undiagnosed. Blending technical and clinical perspectives, the team created HERA, a wellness app built to feel “human first, digital second”.
Instead of overwhelming new mothers with forms or instructions, HERA opens gentle pathways into care – from voice-based check-ins and guided Cognitive Behavioural Therapy exercises to clinically validated screenings and on-demand psychiatrist teleconsultations. The app also includes baby tracking tools, community forums, and a curated marketplace for new parents. “We wanted the experience to feel supportive rather than clinical, especially for mothers navigating the isolating early months of parenthood,” the team said. Judges noted their deep user research and commitment to developing HERA beyond the competition.
Top 10 Finalist:
TokToTheFuture – Making Learning More Engaging
Team members:
- Cheong Kang Jie – Business Analytics, Year 2
- Chia Ya Jun, Alicia – Industrial & Systems Engineering, Year 3
For Cheong Kang Jie and Alicia Chia, the inspiration for their project began with a familiar sight: students scrolling endlessly through short-form videos. They wondered if the same format could make learning less daunting for those overwhelmed by long, text-heavy materials.
Their project, StudyTok, reimagines learning through short, digestible videos paired with quick, interactive quizzes. It mirrors the familiarity of TikTok, designed to slip naturally into a student’s everyday routine. “By meeting learners where they already are, studying might feel less like a chore and more like a habit,” the duo said.
Other innovative submissions from NUS SoC students include:
Pinoy Big Brothers – Making Healthy Eating Easier for Busy Singaporeans
Team members:
- OJ Thomas Casil De Leon – Computer Science, Year 1
- Osby Angelo Pua De Leon – Data Science & Analytics, Year 2
Brothers OJ and Osby De Leon noticed how many people want to eat healthier but struggle with the realities of busy schedules and hawker-style dining. Most nutrition apps are not built for local dishes or everyday decision-making – and certainly not with the warmth of familiar language.
Their project, Health Companion, recognises Singapore’s hawker dishes, offers guidance tailored to dietary needs such as diabetes or hypertension, and engages users through a friendly “Buddy Ah” chatbot. They designed it for people trying to make small, daily decisions that shape healthier habits.
Nguyen Linh Nhien – Helping Newcomers Find Their Footing
Team member:
- Nguyen Linh Nhien – Robotics & Machine Intelligence, Year 1
As an overseas student herself, Nguyen Linh Nhien understood how overwhelming it can feel to navigate new digital systems, paperwork, and processes – especially without someone to ask. That experience became the seed for TravelMate, an all-in-one assistant for travel and digital onboarding.
TravelMate helps users plan itineraries, track checklists, manage budgets, and complete the digital tasks required for settling in. “I designed it to offer the reassurance I once needed: a calm, organised companion for anyone finding their way in a new environment,” she said.
Building with purpose, together
Across all four submissions, our students showed how computing can meet real human needs – whether through mental wellness, learning motivation, nutrition, or digital access. Their work also highlights the strength of NUS’ collaborative ecosystem, where different perspectives create stronger solutions.
It’s a reminder that at SoC, innovation is never just about technology – it’s about people, and the future they want to shape.
