Honorary Shawls Awarded to APU Tech Experts for Inspiring SIMATS Students in India

In a fitting culmination of the two-week Faculty Exchange Programme at the Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS) in India, three distinguished academicians from the Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU) in Malaysia were honoured with Ponnadai (honorary shawls) for their unwavering commitment to imparting technological skills and knowledge to over a hundred local students.

The recipients of this prestigious recognition were Ir. Ts. Dr. Alexander Chee Hon Cheong, Programme Leader, and Senior Lecturer from APU's School of Engineering (SoE), Ir. Eur. Ing. Ts. Dr. Lau Chee Yong, Senior Lecturer at SoE; and Ms. Mary Ting, Senior Lecturer from the School of Computing (SoC). These esteemed individuals were honoured by Dr. N. M. Veeraiyan, the esteemed President of SIMATS.

The graceful and heartwarming ceremony took place on October 20, 2023, celebrating the resounding success of the Faculty Exchange Programme between the two institutions, characterised by a rich exchange of cultures, the sharing of knowledge, the enhancement of teaching and learning processes, and the creation of abundant opportunities for research and collaboration.

The APU academic trio was invited to SIMATS, a deemed university situated in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, for an extensive two-week Faculty Exchange Programme commencing in October 2023. This initiative marked a continuation of the strong educational partnership between SIMATS and APU, which began with the launch of a Student Mobility Programme at APU in July 2023.

Ir. Ts. Dr. Alexander Chee Hon Cheong (from left), Ms. Mary Ting, and Ir. Eur. Ing. Ts. Dr. Lau Chee Yong were at the campus of SIMATS for the two-week Faculty Exchange Programme.

In addition to the APU academicians, the Faculty Exchange Programme featured guest lectures by experts from Romania. The lecture topics delivered by APU’s senior lecturers covered a wide range of subjects, including Analogue Circuits, Sensors and Transducers, and Python Programming, offering valuable insights to eager students.

On October 13, Dr. Lau and Dr. Alex were invited as guest lecturers to present a thought-provoking talk titled Higher Education in Healthcare. This event was co-organised by the Department of Bio-Medical Engineering & Medical Electronics at Saveetha Engineering College and the Saveetha Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Student Branch. The talk, held at the Kalam Hall of the College, was moderated by Professor Dr. M. Moorthi, the esteemed Head of the Department of Bio-Medical Engineering & Medical Electronics.

During their presentation, Dr. Alex provided an overview of APU, highlighting its notable achievements and outlining the programmes offered by the School of Engineering, along with its achievements and profile. Dr. Lau delved into the main theme of the talk, drawing from his wealth of experience and sharing forward-looking perspectives with the attentive students.

Following the engaging talks, the two speakers had the opportunity to meet with Professor Dr. N. Duraipandian, the Principal of Saveetha Engineering College, to explore the potential for collaboration between APU and Saveetha Engineering College. Various plans and future initiatives were discussed, leading to a consensus and signalling a promising collaboration on the horizon.

As both institutions celebrate the fruitful outcome of this programme, there is a fervent hope that APU and SIMATS will continue to nurture a thriving collaboration in the years to come.

Reflecting on the journey they went through, Dr. Lau enthused, “It has been an honour to be part of the Faculty Exchange Programme at SIMATS, witnessing the eagerness of students to embrace technological advancements. I believe education has no boundaries, and the exchange of knowledge transcends borders. Let’s continue to bridge gaps and inspire the next generation of innovators.”

Agreeing, Dr. Alex chimed in, “The warmth and enthusiasm we experienced during this programme at SIMATS were truly inspiring. The role of educators goes beyond classrooms; we shall carry this spirit forward in shaping the future of industries and societies.”

Ms. Mary Ting opined that the exchange at SIMATS had been a testament to the shared passion for learning and collaboration. “May our journey in academia be marked by continuous discovery and the pursuit of knowledge, enriching the lives of students and paving the way for a brighter future.”

The recognition bestowed upon Ir. Eur. Ing. Ts. Dr. Lau Chee Yong, Ir. Ts. Dr. Alexander Chee Hon Cheong, and Ms. Mary Ting reflects not only their expertise but also their commitment to fostering international education partnerships. As APU and SIMATS celebrate the success of this initiative, the hope resonates for a future where the seeds of collaboration planted during these two weeks will blossom into a sustained, flourishing exchange of ideas and innovations between two institutions.