UMD Student Builds Platform to Gamify Learning

Learning requires focus and discipline, but traditional methods often struggle to keep students engaged. As education evolves, interactive tools—such as gamification and AI-driven platforms—are proving to be powerful ways to enhance learning. Many innovators are exploring how technology can bridge the gap between education and engagement, making learning efficient and enjoyable. 

One such innovator is Amanvir Parhar (B.S. ’26, computer science), a junior computer science major at the University of Maryland, who developed azigy. This web platform transforms existing educational materials into interactive game shows. Launched in July 2024, azigy has since experienced tremendous growth, attracting around 15,000 monthly active users.

"Whenever teachers found a way to make the class more interactive—whether through games, Socratic seminars, or structured discussions—it made learning more effective for me," Parhar said. "As a student, I always thought about what kind of platform I would have wanted at that age. That perspective helped me develop the software I work on today."

Path to CS 

Parhar’s journey into computer science wasn’t always linear. Unsure of his future academic focus, he entered high school without a clear direction. The COVID-19 pandemic gave him time to explore different interests, ultimately leading him to software development.

"When the pandemic hit, schools were closed, and I had a lot of free time," Parhar said. "I had some programming experience, but I had never built anything that made an impact. That changed in 2020, when I joined my high school’s trivia club."

The club’s weekly in-person meetings became impossible due to lockdowns. Trivia matches typically relied on a buzzer system, and replicating this setup online was challenging. Determined to find a solution, Parhar built JustBuzz.In, a web-based platform that allowed teams to conduct trivia practices and competitions remotely.

"It started off as a tool for my high school’s quiz bowl team, but once I shared it on social media, it gained traction. At its peak, it had about 10,000 monthly users," he said. "That experience showed me the power of software development—not just in creating something functional but in seeing how it could benefit people beyond my immediate circle."

The success of JustBuzz.In solidified Parhar’s decision to pursue computer science. He was drawn to the field’s ability to turn ideas into real-world solutions quickly.

Creating azigy

Building on his passion for digital engagement, Parhar started working on azigy in December 2023. The platform allows educators to convert lesson plans, slides, or documents into interactive game shows, saving time while keeping students engaged.

"Teachers are already handling coursework, homework, and exams; creating new content for interactive activities on top of all this can be time-consuming," Parhar said. "azigy lets them use what they already have and automatically converts it into a game show."

azigy leverages large language models, like ChatGPT, to automate the conversion of static content into interactive formats. The platform has garnered 150 paid customers in a little over six months (and is fast-growing!), providing Parhar with passive income while he continues his studies.

Though initially designed for educators, azigy has since expanded into corporate team-building activities, with companies using the platform to engage employees through competitive, knowledge-based games.

"Companies have started using it in their meetings to make sessions more interactive," he said. "Monday morning meetings and workforce training programs can be made more engaging when teams compete in fun game shows."

Role of UMD 

Parhar credits the University of Maryland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem for helping him grow as a founder. Early in his college career, he joined UMD's flagship startup incubator, Startup Shell, where he got a chance to connect with experienced student entrepreneurs who had already built companies, gaining valuable insights from their journeys.

"Taking advantage of UMD’s resources was a turning point for me," he said. "The connections I made were invaluable. It wasn’t just about resources—it was about learning from people who had done this before."

Parhar worked for Learn Prompting, one of four teams in the Department of Computer Science’s 2023 Mokhtarzada Hatchery program. This opportunity gave him hands-on experience developing commercial software, and the insights he gained reinforced his interest in applying AI technologies to real-world problems.

Looking Ahead

While refining azigy, he has recently turned some of his attention to open-source development, aiming to contribute tools that benefit the broader programming community.

"Open-source projects have played a huge role in the software I’ve built," Parhar said. "Now, I want to contribute by building tools that other developers can use."

As for azigy, Parhar is exploring options for scaling the platform. 

"Right now, it’s a part-time project, but I’m keeping my options open. azigy provides passive income, which helps with my expenses as a student, but I’m also exploring ways to take it further," he said. "I’m still learning and want to make the most of my time at UMD to figure out the best path forward."

—Story by Samuel Malede Zewdu, CS Communications