The Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation’s (APU) Forensics and Cyber Security Research Centre – Student Section (FSeC-SS) celebrated the achievements of Chai Cheng Xun, Tan Nick Kean, and Wong Wan Yin, who were honoured with the MDEC PDTI Outstanding Student Award 2025, further reflecting APU’s excellence in cyber security and technology education.

The Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation’s (APU) Forensics and Cyber Security Research Centre – Student Section (FSeC-SS) proudly celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of Chai Cheng Xun, Tan Nick Kean, and Wong Wan Yin, who were recognised at the prestigious MDEC PDTI Outstanding Student Award 2025. 

The recognition highlighted the students’ exceptional dedication, passion, and commitment towards advancing the cyber security and technology ecosystem, while representing APU with excellence and distinction. 

Their remarkable achievement marked a proud milestone not only for the award recipients, but also for the wider APU community, reflecting the University’s continued commitment to nurturing highly skilled, industry-ready cyber security professionals. 

The students’ success also underscored the unwavering guidance and support provided by the Advisors of FSeC-SS, Assistant Professor Nor Azlina Abdul Rahman and Ms Noris Ismail. 

Through their continuous mentorship and dedication to empowering young talents, they played a significant role in shaping the growth, development, and achievements of the student section. 

Special appreciation was also extended to Professor Ir EUR ING Dr Vinesh Thiruchelvam, Chief Innovation, Enterprise & Sustainability Officer, and Associate Professor Dr Thang Ka Fei, Senior Head of the School of Technology (SoT), for their steadfast encouragement and support towards student innovation, research excellence, and cyber security initiatives. 

Wong Wan Yin, a Digital Forensics student, shared that they were grateful to Assistant Professor Nor Azlina and Ms Noris for nominating them the year before. 

Through the award nomination process, they enhanced their communication, teamwork, and time management skills by actively participating in competitions, events, and university activities, while also strengthening their technical knowledge in cybersecurity and problem-solving through hands-on experiences and challenges. 

The continuous opportunities and guidance provided by their advisers through involvement in numerous activities, projects, and competitions also played a significant role in enabling them to develop their potential and ultimately achieve these awards. 

“Our biggest takeaway was realising the importance of staying active, continuously learning, and stepping out of our comfort zones to explore different opportunities and experiences. 

“Overall, the experience was highly positive and enjoyable. We appreciated the opportunity to meet and learn from other talented students, and the environment motivated us to continue improving ourselves academically and personally,” said Wan Yin. 

“This achievement motivated us to work harder in our studies and continue developing our skills, particularly in cybersecurity and technology-related fields. It also boosted our confidence and encouraged us to participate more actively in future competitions and activities,” she added.

Chai Cheng Xun shared that receiving the MDEC PDTI Outstanding Student Award 2025 was a meaningful achievement that further motivated him to strive for excellence in both his academic journey and personal development within the field of cyber security. 

“The nomination process encouraged me to become more active in competitions, university activities, and cyber security-related events. 

“Through these experiences, I was able to improve not only my technical knowledge, but also my communication and teamwork skills,” said Cheng Xun. 

He also expressed his appreciation to Assistant Professor Nor Azlina and Ms Noris Ismail for their continuous guidance and encouragement throughout the journey. 

“Competing alongside many talented and accomplished students was both inspiring and motivating. The experience encouraged me to work harder, continue learning, and contribute more actively to the cybersecurity community,” he added. 

Tan Nick Kean said that he believed the nomination had motivated him to participate in and host more future events related to cybersecurity, which helped him improve his confidence and overall communication skills. 

“It was an honour to receive this achievement and compete alongside other students, especially those with outstanding accomplishments. 

“It truly encouraged me to work harder,” said Nick Kean. 

The recognition received through the PDTI Outstanding Awards further strengthened APU’s standing as a leading institution in technology and cybersecurity education, while showcasing the impactful contributions of FSeC-SS students within both academic and professional communities. 

Congratulations were once again extended to all award recipients, FSeC-SS, and the entire APU family on this well-deserved and inspiring achievement.