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Petroleum engineering students secure First Place at prestigious international AI Hackathon, showcasing the future of energy innovation.
As the global energy industry undergoes rapid digital transformation, the demand for data-driven and AI-enhanced competencies has never been greater. Future graduates must now be well-versed in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to remain competitive and industry-ready.
Demonstrating this vital readiness, students from the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) have risen spectacularly to the challenge.
A Triumph on the International Stage
At the recently concluded AI Hackathon II, part of the Gulf Oil and Gas Technology Exhibition and Conference (GOTECH) 2025, APU’s petroleum engineering students spectacularly made their mark.
Held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 21 to 23 April, the event gathered the brightest talents from across the globe. Among them, APU’s Team Crude Intelligence clinched the highly coveted First Place Award, underscoring their command of cutting-edge technology.
The Powerhouses Behind the Victory
Team Crude Intelligence, comprising Bachelor of Petroleum Engineering with Honours students Hazem Saeed Ali Hasyan and Muhammad Noman Kayani, was mentored by Mr Muhammad Syahmi Afif bin Mokhtar Yazid, Lecturer at APU’s School of Engineering (SoE).Their winning project, titled “AI Surface Network Production Flow Behaviour Prediction and Optimisation,” set a new benchmark in predictive analytics for upstream energy challenges.
Competing against 122 international participants from 20 countries—including students, academics, and industry professionals—the team’s innovative use of machine learning models to predict oil, gas, and water production based on historical surface network data impressed both judges and peers alike.
A Prestigious Event Backed by Industry Giants
GOTECH 2025, hosted by Dragon Oil in collaboration with the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) International, was sponsored by key industry leaders such as OilServ, Schlumberger, SGM, and Enersol. The competition provided a fertile ground for cutting-edge ideas and fostered a highly competitive and diverse environment.
Recognition at the Highest Level
During the grand award ceremony on 23 April, Mr Syahmi accepted the First Place trophy on behalf of his team. He was honoured by Dragon Oil’s senior leadership, including Mr Fareed Al Hashmi, Chief Operating Officer; Mr Hesham Zubari, Chief AI and Innovation Officer; and Mr Omar Alfarisi, Senior AI Technology Advisor.
Notably, Mr Syahmi also supervised a second team, Team Drilluminati, made up of students Graham Herbert Bagley and Colin Xavier N. Francis Xavier. They too performed commendably, securing an impressive 8th-place finish—another testament to APU’s depth of talent.
Championing Future-Ready Graduates
Reflecting on the dual success, Mr Syahmi remarked, “Both teams’ outstanding performances signify APU’s commitment to producing industry-ready graduates and advancing research at the intersection of AI and petroleum engineering. It showcases our strength in applying computational innovation to address critical challenges in the energy sector.”
Celebrating a Proud Moment for APU
Upon returning to campus, the achievement was celebrated in a special photography session attended by Professor Dr Ho Chin Kuan, Vice-Chancellor, and Professor Ts Dr Murali Raman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Development and Strategy).
Congratulating the team, Prof Ho commented, “This triumph at GOTECH 2025 is a testament to APU’s academic and research excellence. As a Premier Digital Tech University, we continue to lead through technological innovation and global engagement.”
The celebration also saw the presence of Ir EUR ING Ts Harvin Kaur Gurchran Singh, Petroleum Engineering Programme Lead; Associate Professor Ir Dr Siva Kumar Sivanesan, Head of the School of Engineering; Mr Izwan
Adnan, Industry Advisory Panel member for Petroleum Engineering; and the entire Petroleum Engineering faculty, all of whom expressed immense pride in APU’s accomplishment.
A Vision for the Future
APU’s outstanding showing at GOTECH 2025 not only affirms the university’s stature in global engineering education but also signals a bright future for its students, who are primed to lead in an increasingly digital energy landscape. With such milestones, APU continues to inspire confidence in its mission to merge academic rigour with real-world impact.