LHU wins Second prize at 7th EPICS Competition

On April 11, 2025, at the Final Showcase of the 7th Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) competition held at Cao Thang Technical College in Ho Chi Minh City, the LHU-ADLEY team from LHU excellently won Second prize with an application supporting communication for the mute and hearing impaired.

The EPICS Final Showcase 2025 attracting 21 teams from technical universities in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Can Tho, and Hanoi

This is the seventh time the EPICS program has been held in Vietnam, and also the eighth time in cooperation with the Dow Vietnam STEM Program. The program aims to promote University - Industry learning and development through Innovation and Technology, supported by the USAID, implemented by Arizona State University and Dow Vietnam STEM Program, jointly supporting students' innovation and learning through projects at Vietnamese universities.

Participating in EPICS 2025, LHU has 6 teams including LHU-ADLEY with a communication support app for the mute and hearing impaired; LHU_1 with an automatic helmet washing machine; LHU-D'RISE with a smart cane for the elderly; LHU_Power Stone with a home workout guidance app; LHU-Hoa Hong Den with the MASKY air-filtering mask; and LHU-AI-FLOODGUARD with an intelligent flash flood warning system. Each project demonstrated innovation and addressed practical community issues, ranging from health, safety to environmental protection.

The six participating teams in a memorable photo with their instructors

At the Final Showcase, the LHU-ADLEY team, mentored by Mr. Bui Xuan Canh, advanced to the final round and impressively secured Second prize, along with a USD 300 grant. Their application enables sign language to be recognized via the camera and converted into text or speech while integrating a library of sign‑language courses to help hearing‑impaired users communicate more easily and better integrate into society.

LHU-ADLEY team receiving the Second prize

In a post-competition interview, the LHU-ADLEY team shared insights into their challenging journey. The idea originated from a chance meeting with a sign‑language user, leading the team to survey the hearing‑impaired community. This process took two months due to the respondents’ hesitance and reluctance to share. The phases of functional-design and data‑collection were also challenging, as the team had to compile data from various sources to train the AI. Team members, including Hoang Gia Huy, Pham Bao Minh The, Vu Thi Kim Huong, and Vi Hoai Thuong, along with the support from the AI Robotic team and the T&A Lab collaborated closely to finalize the product.

Mr. Bui Xuan Canh (center) with two members of the LHU‑ADLEY team

LHU‑ADLEY’s Second Prize at the 7th EPICS competition not only affirmed the capabilities of LHU students but also inspired other community‑focused projects. The team’s project is expected to continue developing and expanding its impact, supporting more hearing-impaired individuals and contributing to a more inclusive and compassionate society. Building on the EPICS platform, LHU remains committed to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, aiming to turn student ideas into reality, creating lasting value for the community.