Muhammad Aris Maulana and Ladya Kalascha, third-year students of the Informatics Study Program at the Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universitas Diponegoro, class of 2023, were selected among the Top 20 finalists of the Smart Logistics Datathon 2025 organized by the Asian Institute of Supply Chains & Logistics (AISCL), Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). The competition took place on 17–19 October 2025 at the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy, bringing together outstanding young talents from universities and secondary schools across Asia and Australia.
The 2025 edition marked the fourth staging of AISCL’s regional data analytics competition. The event received support from the Logistics Promotion Funding Scheme under the Maritime and Aviation Training Fund, an initiative of the Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB) of the Hong Kong SAR Government. Its objective is to foster knowledge exchange between academia and industry and to bridge theoretical learning with real-world logistics problem solving.
In line with the “Action Plan on Modern Logistics Development” announced in October 2023, this year’s competition underscored Hong Kong’s ambition to build a “Smart, Innovative, and High-end” logistics ecosystem through the use of technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, autonomous systems, and artificial intelligence.
During the 35-hour Datathon marathon, Aris and Ladya collaborated with international peers to process large-scale logistics data and design data-driven solutions that address challenges in logistics operations, services, and business models. The event tested their technical abilities in data analytics and informatics, as well as their creativity, teamwork, and agility in turning insights into implementable innovations.
At the opening session, Kevin Choi, Permanent Secretary for Transport and Logistics of the Hong Kong SAR Government, welcomed the growing diversity and enthusiasm of participants. He emphasized the crucial role of creative and forward-looking young talents in transforming Hong Kong’s logistics industry to become greener, smarter, and more innovative.
Ahead of the competition, participants joined logistics-focused site visits and industry sharing sessions designed to deepen their understanding of the digital transformation of Hong Kong’s logistics ecosystem. These activities broadened Aris and Ladya’s perspectives on how informatics and AI can optimize supply chains, enhance sustainability, and strengthen the region’s economic connectivity.
Reflecting on the experience, Aris said, “It was a valuable opportunity to represent Indonesia and apply our informatics expertise to real logistics problems. Competing in Hong Kong expanded our horizons and motivated us to keep innovating for smarter and more sustainable supply chain systems.”
Ladya added, “The Datathon was intense and inspiring. We learned a great deal from international peers and industry practitioners about how data can transform logistics, making operations more efficient and environmentally friendly.”
This achievement not only brings pride to Universitas Diponegoro but also highlights the capacity of Indonesian youth to drive digital transformation in the logistics and supply chain sectors on the international stage.