UNF represented by two teams in the finals of the Innovate with AI competition
The University of Niagara Falls Canada was front and centre at the recent GDG Windsor DevFest, as students from the Master of Data Analytics program received the Spirit of Innovation Award in the conference’s Innovate with AI competition. The group was one of two teams from UNF to be named finalists from more than 100 participants.
Entrants in the competition were invited to propose innovative solutions that leverage AI, machine learning, and cloud technology.
The award-winning proposal, SeniorHub, was created by a team consisting of Sarah Dinola, Jerwin Piol, Kerwin Vilan, and Alistair Salgado. The app is designed to provide senior citizens access to caregivers, personal support workers, handymen, and transportation services. In addition to supporting older adults, SeniorHub serves as a platform for professionals to find employment opportunities in their respective fields.
The second team to be named a finalist included Rodrigo Alfaro, Emmanuel Olajabu, German David Garcia Nieves, and Ana Carolina Quiroz Vazquez. Their AI-powered tool, Sympthia, was inspired by challenges seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sympthia allows users to input medical and health symptoms into a chatbot, which then provides guidance on whether they should seek medical care. The system also aggregates submissions to generate a heat map to help identify symptom clusters, offering value for both individuals and governments.
For the students, entering the competition was both a challenge and an opportunity to grow. “I’m very proud of my team and our app,” said Salgado of the SeniorHub team. “This competition was a great learning experience and gave us more confidence as we could take what we learned and apply it to a real-world situation.”
William Pourmajidi, Assistant Professor in the MDA program praised the students’ dedication and balanced approach.
“What stood out most was their commitment, collaboration, and disciplined approach to problem solving,” said Pourmajidi. “They paired strong technical skills with equally important soft skills like communication and adaptability. I hope they carry that spirit of continuous learning and collaboration into their careers.”
Associate Dean Hassan Baz Chamas also commended the students for demonstrating the innovative mindset that defines UNF.
“Our students demonstrated remarkable creativity, leadership, and innovation throughout the competition. Seeing their ideas evolve into impressive solutions was inspiring and a reminder of the incredible potential within our student community,” said Chamas.
The achievements of both teams underscore the strength of UNF’s data analytics program and the spirit of innovation that drives its students. Their success at DevFest not only celebrates what they have already accomplished but also points to the exciting contributions they make in the future.
