APU and KL Society Unite for Education, Research, and Global Engagement

On October 18, 2023, the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) and the Kuala Lumpur Society for International Affairs (KL Society) took a significant step towards strengthening their commitment to education, research, and international cooperation.

The collaboration between APU and KL Society was formalised by Prof. Dr. Ho Chin Kuan and Mr. Jack Lim (5th and 6th from left), observed by (L-R) Dr. Beh Ching Yew, Ms. Jasminder Kaur, Prof. Dr. Angelina Yee, Prof. Dr. Vinesh Thiruchelvam; and (R-L) Ms. Hong Sok Yen, Mr. Kok Weng Fhai, Mr. Choy Kwok Ming, and Mr. Ivan Cheng.

The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony was held at APU's campus in MRANTI Park, Bukit Jalil.

APU, renowned for its excellence in teaching and contributions to technology development, has a long-standing dedication to nurturing future talents and driving technological advancements across various disciplines.

KL Society, a non-profit organisation inspired by the Foreign Policy Association (FPA) in the United States, is passionately dedicated to cultivating a new generation of globally-minded Malaysian leaders. With its guiding principles of Inform, Contribute, and Engage (ICE), KL Society actively engages with a spectrum of stakeholders, including government, business, civil society, and international bodies, to foster the active involvement of the Malaysian public in international relations and decision-making.

This collaboration between the two esteemed institutions will emphasise projects related to entrepreneurship, research, and mentoring of student startups. Their shared goals include jointly sponsoring entrepreneurial activities and research, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and technology between academic and industry members of KL Society, creating student internship opportunities, and supporting career development pathways.

The signing of documents by Prof. Dr. Ho Chin Kuan (seated, left) and Mr. Jack Lim (seated, right), witnessed by (standing, L-R) Prof. Dr. Angelina Yee, Prof. Dr. Vinesh Thiruchelvam, Mr. Ivan Cheng, and Mr. Choy Kwok Ming.

Professor Dr. Ho Chin Kuan, the Vice Chancellor of APU, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration, saying, "We are delighted to partner with KL Society, an organisation that shares our unwavering commitment to education and global engagement. This collaboration promises to provide unique opportunities for our students to gain valuable experience and knowledge."

Mr. Jack Lim Yeu Tjek, Treasurer of KL Society, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the significance of partnerships in nurturing global-minded leaders. He emphasised, “We believe that connecting with educational institutions like APU will enhance our mission to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in Greater Bukit Bintang.”

The MoA that was signed includes sponsorship for the Bukit Bintang Business Challenge 2023, which began in September 2023 and will conclude in January 2024. This challenge is designed for APU students to address and create solutions for problem statements related to the first-mile or last-mile connectivity of urban mobility.

Through this challenge, students will apply the concepts of Design Thinking. They will empathise to understand the problem, define the core issues in a human-centred manner, and brainstorm innovative solutions for the problem statements. The hands-on interaction and engagement with relevant stakeholders and the community will provide students with an experiential learning experience.

The signing of documents by Prof. Ho and Mr. Jack was witnessed by Professor Dr. Vinesh Thiruchelvam, Chief Innovation and Enterprise Officer of APU, and Mr. Ivan Cheng Kam Seng, a committee of the Network of Bukit Bintang Communities (NBBC) – a non-profit organisation that boasts to be the definitive guide to happenings and activities around the Bukit Bintang area.

Also presented were Professor Dr. Angelina Yee Seow Voon, Director of Research and Enterprise of APU; Dr. Beh Ching Yew, Head of Entrepreneurship and Innovation of APU; Ms. Jasminder Kaur Harbindar Jeet Singh, Senior Lecturer of APU’s School of Business (SoB). KL Society and NBBC were represented by Mr. Choy Kwok Ming, Exco of KL Society; Ms. Hong Sok Yen and Mr. Kok Weng Fhai, both committees of NBBC.