Software engineer pushes right buttons

A UQ software engineer is doing his bit to help charity and community groups and businesses access million of dollars from grants.

The engineer, Chooi Guan Lim, has built a computer program called Ezy Grant Writer — which guides users step-by-step on how to apply for grants.

Subscribers pay to access the program which generates a grant proposal in a range of formats from a series of 50 questions.

Ezy Grant Writer creator, Brisbane marketer Julie Van Croonenborg, said Mr Lim had worked tirelessly for the last 12 months despite heavy university workloads.

“His commitment to the project and its vision will mean that hopefully thousands of Australian charities, their volunteers and beneficiaries will reap the rewards of the hard work of the development team,” Ms Van Croonenborg said.

Mr Lim, 25, originally from Singapore now at St Lucia, was connected with Ms Van Croonenborg through a student-industry training program.

An injury from indoor soccer was another reason he became involved.

“Last year I broke one of my ligaments and had to undergo knee re-construction,” he said.

“In order to pass time whilst undergoing rehabilitation I thought this would be a good project to do because it would help people in need.”

Since creating the Ezy Grant Writer program and website, Mr Lim has had little spare time.

He is in his final year studying for an Honours degree in computer science and works as a UQ tutor and research assistant.

And he runs his own software business called Skyjuice Software which is expanding into web hosting.

He has created a range of batch-based software, and one of his best sellers Quick File Rename, can quickly rename large amounts of files automatically depending on a set naming pattern.

“The aim of my software is to improve users’ productivity and lessen workload,” he said.
International companies such as Boeing and Accenture use his software.

For his Honours he is working on ways to enhance digital storytelling to children by building a text-based system that will tell changing stories through interaction.

Mr Lim said he believed the system would improve their imagination and creativity.

Media: Chooi Guan Lim (0400 746 429) or Miguel Holland at UQ Communications (07 3365 2619)