Students achieve national recognition at the 2026 iAwards

Students from the Adelaide campus received one Winner award, two Merit awards and one State Finalist recognition across the Student and Not-for-Profit & Community categories at the 2026 AIIAwards SA/NT. The iAwards recognise innovative technology projects that address real-world challenges and deliver meaningful social, environmental and economic impact. AIIA describes the iAwards as Australia’s longest-running innovation recognition program.

The recognised projects were:

• JurisFlow AI – Winner, Student Category, SA/NT iAward
  Developed by Marcos Cesar Correa Junior, Aidan James Tye and Hardeep Kaur, Bachelor of Information Technology students.

• EzBeachBot – Merit, Student Category, National iAwards & SA/NT iAwards
  Developed by Aayush Dawadi, Bachelor of Information Technology, and Ka Ho Lui, Master of Information Technology.

• Auslan Care AI – Merit, Not-for-Profit & Community Category, SA/NT iAwards
  Developed by Ka Ho Lui, Master of Information Technology, Parminder Kaur & Tanishq Thakur, Bachelor of Information Technology.

• SilentCall AU – State Finalist, Student Category, SA/NT iAwards
  Developed by Parminder Kaur, Tanishq Thakur and Aayush Dawadi, Bachelor of Information Technology.

All four projects were developed under the supervision and mentorship of Ejoe Tso, Project Supervisor and Industry Mentor.

This achievement is a significant recognition of our students’ innovation, technical capability and commitment to solving real-world environmental and social challenges through ICT solutions.

Ejoe Tso, Project Supervisor and Industry Mentor

From legal access to coastal sustainability

The projects demonstrate how Information Technology students can apply artificial intelligence, robotics, computer vision and intelligent communication systems to complex challenges affecting communities and the environment.

1. JurisFlow AI is an AI-powered legal assistance platform designed to improve access to legal information and automate document analysis.
2. EzBeachBot is an autonomous beach-cleaning robot that uses artificial intelligence, robotics and computer vision to address plastic pollution and support more sustainable coastal environments.
3. Auslan Care AI is an AI platform designed to support Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities through intelligent Auslan communication assistance.
4. SilentCall AU is an AI-enabled emergency communication platform for people who are unable to communicate verbally during an emergency.

The projects reflect the growing importance of technology that is not only technically capable, but also human-centred, accessible, and designed to create measurable impact.

EzBeachBot progresses from national recognition to the Asia-Pacific stage

EzBeachBot, developed by Ka Ho Lui and Aayush Dawadi under the supervision of Ejoe Tso, progressed from state-level recognition to the National iAwards Finals in Sydney.

The project was recognised as a National Merit Recipient and selected among the Top 10 finalist teams nationally, competing against outstanding technology projects from across Australia.

EzBeachBot is described as the digital nervous system for coastal ESG management. The project aims to transform coastal sustainability by:

• Making invisible operational costs visible
• Making unclassified waste measurable
• Supporting scalable coastal sustainability through AI-powered autonomous cleaning.

By combining robotics, artificial intelligence and computer vision, EzBeachBot explores how emerging technologies can help communities better understand, manage and respond to environmental challenges.

Following its national recognition, EzBeachBot received an official nomination from the Australian Information Industry Association to participate in the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance Awards 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The team plans to travel to Jakarta from 6 to 13 December 2026, with the official APICTA 2026 program taking place from 7 to 11 December.

The team has received an official invitation to attend and compete at the APICTA Awards in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 6 to 13 December 2026, where leading ICT innovations from across the Asia-Pacific region will be showcased.

Student Team

• Ka Ho Lui – Master of Information Technology, Year 2 | Adelaide Campus
• Aayush Dawadi – Bachelor of Information Technology, Year 3 | Adelaide Campus
• Project Supervisor – Ejoe Tso

I am incredibly proud of what our students have achieved. Their success reflects the strength of our ICT programs and demonstrates how Torrens University students can deliver innovative solutions with meaningful environmental and social impact.

Ejoe Tso, Project Supervisor and Industry Mentor

From National recognition to international opportunities

The success of the four projects highlights the breadth of innovation taking place within Torrens University’s Information Technology programs. JurisFlow AI and Auslan Care AI represented South Australia at the National iAwards Finals in Sydney, while EzBeachBot has progressed further to an international opportunity, receiving an official AIIA nomination to represent Australia at the APICTA Awards 2026 in Jakarta.

From improving access to legal information and emergency communication to supporting Auslan users and addressing coastal sustainability, these projects demonstrate how students are applying emerging technologies to meaningful real-world challenges.

The Academic Leadership Team, Interim Dean School of Technology, Claire Davison, and Program Director Nandini Sidnal welcomed the students’ achievements and their progression from university learning to national and international recognition.

“It is wonderful to see our students applying their technical knowledge to real-world challenges and receiving recognition nationally and now internationally. Congratulations to the students and their supervisor on this outstanding achievement.”

Why technology innovation matters

The demand for people who can understand, develop and apply emerging technologies is growing across almost every sector.

The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 identifies artificial intelligence and information processing, robotics and automation, and expanded digital access as major forces expected to transform businesses by 2030. It also identifies AI and big data, networks and cybersecurity, and technological literacy among the fastest-growing skills.

The report estimates that 170 million new jobs could be created globally by 2030, while 92 million roles may be displaced as industries change. It also forecasts that 39 per cent of existing worker skill sets could be transformed or become outdated during this period.

In Australia, closing digital skills gaps could contribute an estimated $25 billion in economic value over the next decade, according to the Australian Computer Society’s Digital Pulse 2025 report.

These trends reinforce the importance of developing technology graduates who can do more than use digital tools. Future technology professionals will need to identify problems, work collaboratively, understand users and communities, and create solutions that are ethical, practical and capable of delivering impact.

Start your technology career at Torrens University

The success of our students at the 2026 iAwards demonstrates what is possible when technical learning is connected to real-world challenges.

Information Technology students at Torrens University receive complimentary student membership of the Australian Computer Society (ACS), Australia's professional association for technology professionals. Students also receive membership of the Australian Information Security Association (AISA), helping them build professional networks and engage with the broader technology sector while they study.

Whether you are starting your first technology qualification or looking to advance your existing career, Torrens University offers Information Technology programs with study options in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Data and Networking, Cybersecurity, Software Development and Technology Product Management. The Bachelor of Information Technology is co-designed with industry, and for those wishing to progress further, a new Professional Doctorate in AI Futures is also available for professionals investigating complex challenges in the field.