APU and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) hosted ‘Future-Ready Leadership: Inspire, Innovate, Transform’, bringing together leaders, academics, and students to discuss the future of leadership in the digital era; with over 400 participants and the presence of British High Commissioner His Excellency Ajay Sharma, the event featured key insights on emotional agility and purpose-driven leadership and concluded with an awards ceremony that reaffirmed both institutions’ commitment to nurturing future-ready leaders.

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The Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), through its School of Business (SoB) in partnership with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), successfully hosted a landmark leadership event titled ‘Future-Ready Leadership: Inspire, Innovate, Transform’ on 16 October 2025. 

Led by Professor Dr Kashif Hussain, Senior Head SoB and the School of Global Hospitality and Tourism (SoGHT) and coordinated by Ms Cynthia Mala Paul Dorairaj with the invaluable support of the SoB lecturers and student volunteers, the event brought together thought leaders, industry captains, and academics.

It also engaged aspiring student leaders from Sustainability Future Fusion (SFF) under the leadership of President Khoo Lay Yang, providing a dynamic platform to explore the evolving landscape of leadership in the digital age.

The occasion was graced by His Excellency Ajay Sharma, the British High Commissioner to Malaysia, who delivered an inspiring address that underscored the importance of international collaboration and the shared commitment between the United Kingdom and Malaysia in developing future leaders. 

His Excellency was warmly welcomed by Datuk Paramjit Singh, Chief Executive Officer of APU, whose presence highlighted the enduring partnership between both nations in advancing global education, innovation, and leadership excellence.

Professor Dr Ho Chin Kuan, Vice Chancellor of APU, highlighted the university’s longstanding engagement with global institutions such as CMI and reaffirmed its dedication to cultivating agile, purpose-driven, and resilient leaders for the future.

This sentiment was echoed by Ms Ann Francke, Chief Executive of the CMI, who provided valuable global perspectives on leadership transformation and management excellence, emphasising CMI’s mission to empower leaders who create meaningful impact in their organisations and communities.

With more than 400 participants from various corporations and universities, alongside additional live-stream viewers joining from an overflow venue, the event offered a vibrant and dynamic platform for engagement between academia and industry. 

The conference featured two impactful sessions that explored the emotional, strategic, and technological dimensions of leadership in the modern world.

The first session, titled ‘Leading with Emotional Agility in a Digital World’, set an empowering tone as speakers explored how emotional intelligence shapes effective leadership in an era defined by rapid technological change. 

Dato’ Najmuddin Abdullah, Adjunct Professor at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), emphasised the importance of empathy and adaptability when navigating digital transformation. 

Datin Dr Leez Hassan, Director of ADLA Group Sdn. Bhd., discussed building resilience and emotional balance while leading diverse teams across hybrid work environments. 

Mr Dickson Woo, Country General Manager and Technology Leader at IBM Malaysia, shared how emotional agility enhances innovation, collaboration, and productivity. 

The session was expertly moderated by Dr Christina SS Ooi FCMI, Board Member of CMI Malaysia, who guided the conversation towards the crucial balance between human connection and technological advancement.

The second session, ‘Purpose-Driven Strategy – Aligning Tech, Talent & Transformation’, delved into the role of purpose-led leadership in synchronising technology, people, and organisational transformation. 

Dato’ Dr Munirah Looi, Regional CEO (SEA) & Director of Blue Onion, highlighted the importance of embedding purpose at every level of organisational strategy and explained how technology can be used to empower individuals while creating meaningful, far-reaching impact. 

Mr Alex Liew, Chairman of PIKOM, reflected on Malaysia’s evolving digital landscape and the need for strong synergy between human capital development and technological progress to drive national advancement. 

The session was further enriched by Professor Ts Dr Murali Raman, APU Deputy Vice Chancellor, who emphasised the importance of fostering collaborative and purpose-driven leadership in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. 

Moderated by Dr Guna Seelan Rethinam CMgr FCMI, Board Member of CMI Malaysia, the session provided actionable insights into integrating purpose with innovation to achieve sustainable growth.

The event concluded with a special Certificates and Awards Presentation to honour outstanding contributions that have strengthened leadership development and enhanced collaboration between academia and industry. 

The closing remarks, delivered by Professor Dato’ Seri Dr Mohamed Mustafa Ishak, CMgr CCMI, Chair of CMI Malaysia, celebrated APU’s unwavering dedication to nurturing leadership excellence and its continued collaboration with CMI. 

Through its partnership under SDG 17 with CMI, APU continues to cement its position as a leading hub for leadership development, global engagement, and industry-relevant education, preparing graduates who are ready to lead change both locally and globally.