Finnova awards technology prize to students

Luca Barletta and Daniel Gnägi from the Chur University of Applied Sciences (HTW Chur) won the prize of 1,000 francs for their bachelor’s thesis on fraud detection in online financial transactions. Their thesis, which was commissioned by the IT firm Inventx AG, used machine learning to add to previous methods of fraud detection.  

The two winners completed the Systemtechnik NTB bachelor’s degree, which prepares future engineers for challenging tasks in planning, development, production, operation and optimization of technical devices and systems. HTW Chur is the only institute to offer a specialization in information and communication’s systems as part of this bachelor’s degree.

“I have my applied studies at HTW Chur to thank for my position as a cyber security developer at a bank. This job is directly related to my bachelor’s thesis,” said Barletta.

“With the Finnova Technology Award we want to honour outstanding achievements and strengthen our Chur location, which is of strategic importance to us and our partners,” said Ralph Hutter, Head Product Management Digitalisation at Finnova.

HTW Chur is an important learning partner for future collaboration in applied research projects and the training of potential employees. 

“For us as a university of applied sciences, the collaboration with Finnova – an important employer in the field of computer science – is of central importance,” said Corsin Capol, jury member and a lecturer in computer sciences at HTW Chur.