Inside APU’s Formula for Excellence 

In a higher education landscape shaped by rapid technological change and rising global competition, awards are more than symbols of prestige. They are indicators of relevance, quality and impact. 

So when Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) secured over 268 awards in 2025, it marked more than an exceptional year—it reflected a culture of excellence that has been deliberately built, refined and sustained. 

Behind this milestone lies a carefully engineered formula. It is a blend of visionary leadership, industry-aligned academics, empowered students and strong academic–industry partnerships. This is not success by chance, but success by design! 

Vision That Sets the Direction

Every achievement begins with clarity of purpose. At APU, that clarity allows the entire institution to move in one direction, collectively. 

“At APU, our leadership, led by Datuk Parmjit Singh, CEO and Co-Founder, has consistently positioned us as a future-ready institution. We anticipate change rather than react to it,” said Professor Dr Ho Chin Kuan, Vice-Chancellor of APU. 

“Strategic priorities in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital transformation and employability are not trends followed in hindsight. They are embedded in our long-term roadmap,” he added. 

Faculties, support divisions and student initiatives operate within this shared vision of impact and relevance. The result is momentum—evident in APU’s repeated wins in categories such as Best Tech University, Best AI University, Best Future-Ready University and Employer’s Choice of University. 

The 268 awards of 2025 are not a peak. They are the outcome of sustained alignment and disciplined execution. 

Academic Excellence with Industry DNA

A defining strength behind APU’s achievements is its industry-integrated academic model. 

APU’s curricula are co-designed with partners including Microsoft, AWS, IBM, Cisco and MDEC, ensuring relevance in AI, cybersecurity, cloud and digital media. These collaborations transform learning into real-world applications—and awards into proof points of quality and impact. 

“Within the School of Computing, this approach has translated into award-winning work in artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity and software engineering. Our students do not merely study emerging technologies; rather, they build with them,” shared Associate Professor Ts Dr Tan Chin Ike, Head of the School of Computing (SoC).

Meanwhile, the School of Media, Arts and Design (SoMAD) demonstrates how creativity thrives when anchored in industry relevance. Its repeated success as National Champion of the James Dyson Award exemplifies how student ideas evolve into solutions recognised on global platforms. 

“Academic excellence at APU is measurable. It appears in competitions won, prototypes built, solutions deployed and ideas recognised. Awards become natural by-products of authentic learning,” said Ms Debbie Liew Pooi Kuan, Head of SoMAD. 

Empowered Students, Exceptional Outcomes

A substantial share of APU’s awards originates from student achievements. This reflects a philosophy that places students at the centre—not as recipients of knowledge, but as creators of value. 

Students are supported through a comprehensive ecosystem encompassing mentoring, professional certifications, leadership development, career services and industry exposure. 

Platforms such as hackathons, innovation challenges and global competitions allow them to test ideas under real-world conditions. 

“This empowerment nurtures confidence. Students step forward not just to participate, but to lead and win. We have proven this formula: when individual excellence is cultivated at scale, institutional recognition follows organically,” said Datuk Parmjit Singh, CEO of APU. 

Education with Purpose

Excellence matters most when it changes lives. At APU, recognition is not the goal—it is the natural outcome of a higher education designed with purpose, relevance, and real-world impact. 

“Our responsibility is not just to educate, but to prepare graduates who are ready to contribute from day one. When industry and global platforms recognise our students and our achievements, it affirms that education anchored in employability, integrity, and innovation truly delivers results,” said Datuk Parmjit. 

APU’s story is written through its graduates—individuals equipped with future-ready skills, global perspectives, and the confidence to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. Awards and rankings simply reflect what matters most: meaningful outcomes, trusted partnerships, and lives transformed through education. 

Awards and recognition become a strategic asset: attracting partners, inspiring students and amplifying impact beyond campus. 

Global Standards, Global Recognition

APU’s awards are reinforced by its adherence to international benchmarks—placing it among the top 2% of universities worldwide, Top 150 in Asia, and Top 40 in Southeast Asia in the QS World University Rankings 2026. 

APU is also the first Malaysian university accredited by the UK Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), and the first Malaysian University to achieve QS 5-Stars Plus Rating. 

Strong global rankings, high international diversity and cross-border partnerships position APU as a truly connected university—driving recognition across teaching quality, employability, innovation and learning impact. 

The APU Formula

In a nutshell, the secret recipe behind 268 awards is clear:

• Visionary, future-oriented leadership
• Industry-embedded academic design with a focus on tech
• Passionate students competing on national & global stages
• Highly employable graduates equipped with in-demand, future-ready skills
• Strong academic–industry partnerships
• Commitment to global standards
   

Each element reinforces the next, creating a virtuous cycle where excellence generates recognition, and recognition fuels ambition. 

As APU looks beyond 2025, these awards serve as validation. They confirm that the university’s model works in a fast-evolving world. And if the past year is any indication, APU’s formula for excellence is not only effective, it is built for the future. 

For the full list of the 268 awards, please click here to view them on our website.

The Star Malaysia has reported this story. Read more here.