Pakistani students get best AI use award

The Embassy of Pakistan in Manila has announced that a student team from Pakistan have achieved prestigious honours at the 2025 Asia-Pacific (APAC) Solution Challenge—a premier global tech competition supported by Google and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Out of more than 750 teams representing 12 countries across the Asia-Pacific region, Team GeoGemma from the Institute of Space Technology (IST), Islamabad, was awarded the Best AI Use Award. The competition's Top 10 finalists included teams from South Korea, Japan, Singapore, the Philippines, and Indonesia.

GeoGemma's groundbreaking solution leverages satellite imagery and artificial intelligence through the Gemini API to deliver early warning alerts and risk assessments for disaster-prone areas.

Their system holds life-saving potential by using geospatial technology. The team comprised of Ahmed Iqbal, Hanzila Bin Younas, Khalil Ur Rehman, and Abdullah Asif—was commended for its innovative use of geospatial technology in disaster preparedness.

Team i+1 from NUCES FAST also made Pakistan proud by securing a spot among the Top 10 finalists. Their AI-powered document classifier, also developed with Gemini tools, aims to make complex texts more accessible for neurodivergent individuals, promoting inclusivity and access to knowledge.

In celebration of their achievements, Pakistan's Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr Asima Rabbani, hosted both teams at her official residence. She also commended the role of academic mentors, institutions, and competition organisers, emphasising that such accomplishments signal Pakistan's growing potential in the global AI and innovation ecosystem.