Strategic collaboration connects psychology students with real-world mental health practice, community engagement and future professional opportunities while advancing mental health awareness and well-being.

Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) and The Pillars Psychological Services Sdn. Bhd. have formalised a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening industry-engaged psychology education, student well-being and community mental health initiatives.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on 9 September 2026 at APU’s campus in MRANTI Innovation Park, marks the first formal industry partnership initiated by APU’s School of Psychology (SoP).

The agreement was signed by APU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Ho Chin Kuan and Ms Joanne Ng, Founder of The Pillars, witnessed by Ms Dhevaania C. Gendsen, Programme Leader for the Diploma in Psychology and Lecturer at SoP, and Ms Cyndi Lu, Business Development Executive at The Pillars.

From Classroom Learning to Professional Exposure

The Pillars is a Malaysian mental health and well-being organisation providing professional counselling, psychological assessments, therapy and educational workshops.

Through the partnership, both organisations will explore opportunities that can bring psychology students closer to contemporary professional practice, including professional observation, shadowing, practicum and internships.

These opportunities will be considered according to placement capacity, student suitability, professional confidentiality, safeguarding requirements and institutional approval.

By complementing academic learning with authentic exposure to mental health services, the collaboration has the potential to help students better understand professional responsibilities, ethical practice and the diverse career pathways available within psychology and related fields.

Built on Two Years of Collaboration

The MoU represents the culmination of two years of sustained engagement between SoP and The Pillars.

During this period, both parties developed a strong working relationship through preliminary mental health screenings, well-being workshops, student engagement activities and community-based initiatives.

The partnership was led by Ms Dhevaania, with the backing of Ms Vinorra Shaker, Head of SoP, and support from Ms Pavithra Muniandy, Programme Leader for the Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Psychology and Senior Lecturer, and Ms Amirah Husna, Psychology Laboratory Technician and Lecturer.

The formal agreement now provides a structured framework to expand the continuity, scope and impact of these initiatives.

Learning through Community Engagement

One of the partnership’s upcoming engagements will see SoP participating in The Pillars Festival 4.0, from 9 to 11 October 2026 at BMW Performance Motors Malaysia, Damansara.

The three-day festival will feature well-being workshops, movement sessions, mental health activities, health screenings, interactive booths and a community marketplace involving more than 30 vendors.

For APU students, the festival will offer opportunities for volunteering, experiential learning, community engagement and professional networking beyond the classroom.

Building a More Psychologically Informed Society

The partnership also supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, through mental health awareness, early identification and practical well-being initiatives, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, through meaningful collaboration between academia and professional practice.

By combining SoP’s academic expertise with The Pillars’ professional experience, the partnership is well positioned to cultivate initiatives that enrich students’ development while extending positive impact into the wider community.

More importantly, it reflects a shared aspiration to prepare future psychology graduates not only with knowledge, but also with empathy, professional awareness and a deeper understanding of the people and communities they may one day serve.