Project Sa’Bai

Project duration: May 2023

Team:

Lead: Jody Tng Jin Zi is a Year 3 Business Analytics student at the NUS School of Computing. She is also the Vice-President of the NUS Students’ Computing Club where she oversees the Student Development Wing of the Club. She actively spearheads the introduction of new initiatives and projects, not only in the academic realm but also in the context of community engagement.
Her other group members include Matthew Simon (Y3 Computer Science), Chew Shi En Shawn (Y3 Computer Science), Dorothy Yuan (Y3 Information Systems), Jordan Yoong Jia En (graduates Computer Science student), Lim Kok Liang (Y2 Computer Science), Marcus Tan Guo Xuan (Y3 Computer Science) and Ng Yin Joe (Y2 Computer Science).

2nd Row (left to right): Lim Kok Liang, Matthew Simon, Shawn Chew, Marcus Tan, Jordan Yoong

1st Row (left to right): Jody Tng, Dorothy Yuan

Not in photo: Ng Yin Joe

Project Overview:

The team implemented a biometric system to streamline the patient triage process as they recognised the importance of addressing these challenges and enhancing the healthcare outcomes for the Cambodian community. The biometric system aimed to help reduce wait times and increase the number of patients who can receive the care.

In addition, the team wanted to create a sustainable impact in the local community by developing a robust biometric system that can be easily adopted and maintained by the locals eventually. To achieve this goal, the team attempted to create a comprehensive documentation that outlines every aspect of the system, from design to implementation and maintenance.

Significance of Project:

While the team’s work mainly focused on streamlining the triage process for the medicine students, many of the Cambodians stated that they were satisfied with the speed and smoothness of the clinic flow. This was achieved through the efficiency of the medical team, as well as the readiness of the computing team to act on and fix the biometrics system as issues arise. Generally, the medical team found the team’s application easy to use and efficient in its usage for the clinic flow. They also had feedback for improvement of the application, in which the team will take into account and incorporate for future use.

Why the team applied for the CCSGP fellowship:

The team believes that their goal, that is using state-of-the-art technology to streamline the patient triage process, thereby enhancing the healthcare outcomes for the Cambodian community, aligns well with CCSGP’s mission of encouraging the IT community in NUS to give back to society.

What the team learned from the CCSGP experience:

Technical and Problem-solving skills

The process of developing and implementing a biometric system enabled the team to enhance their technical knowledge and skills significantly. Through this project, the team deepened their understanding of biometric technology and data security. They gained hands-on experience in working with complex systems, troubleshooting technical challenges, and finding innovative solutions. The growth in technical proficiency has equipped them with valuable skills for future endeavors in the technological field.

Cultural and Global Awareness

The time in which the team spent in Cambodia provided them with an opportunity to expand our cultural awareness and develop a global perspective. The team had the opportunity to interact with the local community, understand their healthcare needs, and observe the level of digital literacy among children and the elderly. This experience also deepened their appreciation for the importance of tailoring solutions to specific local needs and ignited a desire to engage in further cross-cultural collaborations.

Post Project Plans:

The success and positive impact of Project Sa’Bai have opened up possibilities for future expansion and collaboration on a larger scale. The medical students from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (YLLSoM) expressed their interest in establishing a long-term partnership with the School of Computing (SoC) to maintain and enhance the existing biometric system. Through ongoing collaboration, the biometric system can be further improved, adapted to evolving needs, and effectively utilized by the medical students in their annual health checkups for the Cambodian community.

Beyond the biometric system, there is also potential for a broader collaboration between YYLSoM and SoC. One avenue of exploration is the provision of digital literacy lessons by SoC to the Cambodian community. By integrating literacy initiatives with the existing health checkup efforts, the team can empower the Cambodians to enhance their digital skills and access a wider range of educational and healthcare resources. This interdisciplinary collaboration has the potential to create a more comprehensive and impactful intervention that addresses multiple aspects of community well-being.