APU’s 2.0 FIS Research Poster Competition Heats Up!

More than 177 students took part in the research poster competition, which focused on applying philosophy to current social issues such as equality and technology, allowing them to showcase their research to a larger audience while developing well-rounded graduates capable of critical thinking in social issues.

The Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation’s (APU) School of General Studies (SoGS) hosted the 2.0 ‘Falsafah dan Isu Semasa’ (FIS) or Philosophy and Current Issues Research Poster Competition, which integrated philosophy with current social challenges.

Ms. Nurul Farhanah Mohd. Nasir, an inspirational SoGS Lecturer/Project Manager, led the competition at Atrium, which was brimming with intellectual curiosity.

Over 177 students from APU’s varied schools attended, ready to demonstrate their research skills.

This competition applies philosophy to current issues such as equality in society, environmental challenges, and the rapidly changing world of technology.

Building on the success of the 2023 competition, the event allowed students to step outside of their specialised areas and explore the potential of philosophical thinking.

“We want our students to delve into areas beyond their studies,” explained Mr. Ragunathan Ayyavoo, Head of SoGS.

“This competition is not just about research; it is about honing presentation skills, building confidence, and developing those essential soft skills employers crave.”

The competition culminated in an exciting award ceremony, where three outstanding research projects emerged victorious.

The three winners research titles were: The Impact of Perfect Online Personas on Body Image: A Quantitative Study among Private University Students, Gender Inequality affecting Women’s Career Opportunity, and The Social Isolation and Irrational Belief between People’s Interaction with AI.

The Impact of Perfect Online Personas on Body Image: A Quantitative Study among Private University Students conducted by Aaron Ed Fanchette, Alwyna Anora Rajkumar Abraham, Beh Yee Yi, Choong Bao Hua, Lin Zhen Jae, Maliha Muskan Ahmed, Mohamed Ithof Ali, Muhammad Aidie Ismadie Suhaimi, Ngo Mui Yurn, Soon Kah Kee, and Tan Zi Ean.

The Gender Inequality affecting Women’s Career Opportunity done by Adriano Jorge Silva De Araujo Junior, Aizal Muqriff Suhail, Arbaaz Amer Alam, Lee Sing Yen, Ng Chi Yi, Parisha Mustafa, Sanny Lee Ying Xuan, Tamilenthi Puvanesvaran, Wong Li Xuan and Yong Cheng Wei.

Lastly The Social Isolation and Irrational Belief between People’s Interaction with AI by Low Hoi Xuan, Chong Ving Ming, Mohammed Saad, Mahmood Al-Kubaisi, Rochana Jayakumar, Ryan Raj and Yap Wi Zi.

Tamilenthi, a student from Malaysia shared, “This competition was a game-changer! It taught me to communicate complex research effectively, and that is a skill I will carry forward.”

Another student, Adrian from the Maldives, said, “This FIS module was eye-opening. Philosophy? Who knew it could be so useful? I learnt a lot about research, Malaysian societal concerns, and even potential solutions. Presenting in front of a large audience was a completely different experience than classroom presentations.”

The resounding success of the competition underscores APU’s commitment to fostering well-rounded graduates.

As Ms. Nurul Farhanah concluded, “We want to create students who are not just experts in their fields, but who are also engaged and aware of the social issues shaping our world.

“From politics to healthcare, it is our responsibility to equip our students with the knowledge and skills to become not only successful, but also well-rounded individuals, empowering students to present their research findings after the hard work of data collection and analysis.”

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