“Project e-MUSE” receives the Digital Economy Gold Award in Hong Kong Open Group at the Hong Kong Techathon+ 2024
Dr Leung Chi-hin, centre, teaches his CCA students how to use the AI-enabled application installed in an iPadOS to play music.
Music learners can control various parameters such as pitch, rhythm, dynamic, and articulation using the application's built-in Grid Notation music scores.
“Project e-MUSE”, led by a team headed by Dr Leung Chi-hin from the Department of Cultural and Creative Arts (CCA) under the support from the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Research (CEAR) of the University, won the Gold Medal in the Hong Kong Open Group under the Digital Economy category at the Hong Kong Techathon+ 2024. The project received a cash award of HK$10,000 from the event organiser.
The project team made use of Grid Notation, an invention by Dr Leung, to develop a new iPadOS AI-enabled application. Music learners can control various parameters such as pitch, rhythm, dynamic, and articulation using the application's built-in Grid Notation music scores. The application is supported by tailored interfaces and tools, namely Expression Grid, SmartKey, HexKe, and SmartChord. Compared with the traditional five-line staff notation, the Grid Notation provides a lower barrier for music learning.
“My heartfelt thanks goes to CEAR which has given the team its full support throughout the project. ‘Project e-MUSE’ aims to revolutionise the way students learn and engage with music, and promote music education for all. Through the use of AI technology, the project has developed personalised and cost-effective music learning solutions for students, hence enabling them to explore the world of music with greater ease and enthusiasm. I believe the project will help advance the music education of the city,” Dr Leung said.
Co-organised by 10 local universities and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks (HKSTP), the Hong Kong Techathon+ is one of the flagship entrepreneurship events across universities in Hong Kong. Its 2024 edition, the eighth since its inception, saw 1,500 participants from 92 startup teams, including student teams from universities in Macao, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United States.
The “Project e-MUSE” team, led by Dr Leung Chi-hin from the Department of Cultural and Creative Arts, is awarded the Gold Award by Hong Kong Techathon+ 2024, receiving an initial funding of HK$10,000.
The three teams from EdUHK won three awards in the Hong Kong Open Group at the competition. In the centre is “Project e-MUSE” team led by Dr Leung Chi-hin. On the right is PlaneSeed, a team supported by EdUHK EASE Fund’s CanToLearn, which won the Silver Award. On the left is Newbie Trade (BTAP), a FinTech company supported by EdUHK’s 2023/24 INVESTED programme and led by EdUHK students. It grabbed the Bronze Award.
The three-day final competition of the event conducted in January 2024 was composed of three groups, namely Hong Kong Student, Hong Kong Open, and International. Participants submitted their projects under four major technology themes: Trusted AI & Data Science, Sustainability & ESG, Digital Economy, and Smart Cities.
Teams from EdUHK won three awards in the Hong Kong Open Group at the competition. PlaneSeed, a team supported by EdUHK EASE Fund’s CanToLearn, won the Silver Award. Newbie Trade (BTAP), a FinTech company supported by EdUHK’s 2023/24 INVESTED programme and led by EdUHK students, grabbed the Bronze Award.
Besides securing direct admission to the HKSTP Ideation Programme, all winning teams of each category were awarded with initial funding, as well as entrepreneurial support and seed funding to help them make their innovations a reality.
