The Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) has been honored with the Best Use of EdTech in Higher Education award at the inaugural ETIH Innovation Awards 2026, recognizing its groundbreaking Tech Policy Hackathon 2025 for redefining how technology and policy intersect in student learning.
The hackathon brought together 299 students from 36 universities across 12 Asia‑Pacific economies, with 56 finalists competing in Bangkok. Teams developed prototypes addressing challenges such as financial inclusion, digital trust, responsible AI, and workforce development. The program was supported by data.org, Google, and the NUS Fintech Lab, with Google hosting the finale at its Bangkok office.
Led by Christina Schönleber, APRU’s Chief Strategy Officer, the initiative moved beyond a traditional tech competition by requiring participants to submit policy briefs before building prototypes. This approach encouraged students to consider institutional contexts, stakeholder engagement, and ethical implications — fostering human‑centered innovation.
Judges praised the hackathon’s interdisciplinary model, combining technology, law, economics, and social sciences. Richard Govada Joshua, one of the ETIH judges, described it as “a transformational use of EdTech in higher education,” highlighting its blend of structured curriculum, mentorship, and real‑world problem‑solving.
The program’s mentorship network, featuring experts from Google, Microsoft, data.org, She Loves Data, and NECTEC Thailand, guided students through feasibility, scalability, and ethical considerations. APRU also ensured accessibility by funding travel and accommodation for finalists, promoting inclusivity across the region.
The success of the 2025 edition has paved the way for the 2026 APRU Tech Policy Hackathon, focusing on financial health for underserved communities, with Cognizant joining as a new partner.
Schönleber said the award “validates the incredible efforts and deep thinking of the cross‑stakeholder team” behind the program, emphasizing APRU’s commitment to collaborative, socially focused, and regionally connected innovation in higher education.
