APU Garners Multiple Accolades at Private Education Excellence Awards 2023

Educational excellence will be achieved when educators and educational institutions collectively nurture the talents of the next generation, fostering not only academic achievement but also strong character.

The academics and staff of APU share the joy of receiving accolades in four categories at the Private Education Excellence Awards 2023.

At Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), the focus isn't solely on achieving academic excellence; the emphasis also lies on preparing students to become proficient professionals ready for employment.

This educational philosophy has garnered praise not only from parents but also from the Private Education Co-Operative of Malaysia (EDUCOOP), which recently honoured APU with four prestigious awards.

Recognised as the top performer among private educational institutions in the country, APU received accolades in four categories at the Private Education Excellence Awards 2023: Best in Student Achievements (Institution Category), Best in Diversity & Inclusion (Institution Category), National Outstanding Innovator Award (University category), and National Outstanding Young Educator Merit Award.

Prof. Dr. Ho Chin Kuan (from right) received the award from the Guest of Honour Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim, the Chairman of Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE). Looking on is Ms Vijaya Letchumi, the Chairman of the Private Education Co-Operative of Malaysia.

During the ceremony held in downtown Kuala Lumpur on August 10th, Professor Dr. Ho Chin Kuan, Vice Chancellor of APU, received the awards of Best in Student Achievements and Best in Diversity & Inclusion on behalf of the university.

Ir. Ts. Dr. Reena Sri Selvarajan (from right) receiving the National Outstanding Innovator Award from Guest of Honour Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim, the Chairman of Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE), with Ms Vijaya Letchumi, the Chairman of the Private Education Co-Operative of Malaysia looks on.

The National Outstanding Innovator Award was bestowed upon Ir. Ts. Dr. Reena Sri Selvarajan, Lecturer of the School of Engineering (SoE) at APU.

Ir. Eur. Ing. Ts. Dr. Lau Chee Yong (from right) received the National Outstanding Young Educator Merit Award from Prof. Dr. Garry Tan Wei Han, and Prof. Dr. Murali Raman, both board members of EDUCOOP.

In conclusion, the National Outstanding Young Educator Merit Award was presented to Senior Lecturer of SoE, Ir. Eur. Ing. Ts. Dr. Lau Chee Yong.

Expressing his thoughts on the multiple wins, VC Prof. Ho enthused, “Our success in competing with some of the best tertiary education institutions and academics in the private higher education sector exemplifies the emphasis on embracing diversity across the institution and cultivating a multicultural environment that has achieved strong and meaningful integration.”

“Additionally, the hard work of our students alongside their academic mentors and advisors in generating remarkable ideas and innovative solutions, combined with the dedication, determination, and passion of our academic staff, particularly in producing quality research and innovative teaching, has led to APU's acquisition of these accolades. Importantly, our leadership team has played a catalytic role in supporting these efforts,” continued Prof. Ho.

Ir. Ts. Dr. Reena attributes her success to her eight-year involvement in the biosensing technology research field. “Engaging in multiple research projects, notably Higher Institutions Centre of Excellence (HICoE) projects like the National Artificial Kidney Project with UKM, and winning various research and innovation awards, has established my credibility as a dedicated scientist and innovator in my research field,” she stated.

Dr. Reena is an expert in microfabrication and nanoelectronics, specialising in biosensors and Micro-Electromechanical Systems (MEMS) Technology. She previously received MTE’s COVID-19 International Innovation Award and Newport’s Research Excellence Award.

With her aspiration to cultivate young minds as critical thinkers, Dr. Reena transformed her teaching techniques by integrating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the curriculum through projects such as “Project Einstein” and “Mission Turkey”. These initiatives guide SoE students in presenting science and innovation topics while completing their Communication Engineering Principles module.

For Ir. Eur. Ing. Ts. Dr. Lau Chee Yong, a chartered professional engineer and recently certified young professional by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in San Francisco, his journey to winning the National Outstanding Young Educator Merit Award can be ascribed to his unwavering passion for education.

“I have consistently pursued growth and excellence in education and engineering. At APU, I am committed to fostering meaningful interactions with and among students to nurture well-rounded individuals. This is achieved by creating an enriching learning environment that transcends traditional boundaries and empowers students to thrive academically and personally,” explained Dr. Lau.

With over seven years of experience as a lecturer at SoE in APU, Dr. Lau specialises in areas like Artificial Intelligence, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, and Renewable Energy.

Guided by its mission statement, the four categories in which APU excelled in the Private Education Excellence Awards further underscore its commitment to providing high-quality, affordable, innovative, and internationally benchmarked education and research. This commitment is delivered in a professional, ethical, and student-centred manner through the design and delivery of various enriching and distinctive learning experiences.