SoMM initiative enables APU students to translate classroom knowledge into mentorship, while academics and industry partners bring entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainability to young learners.

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Knowledge moved beyond the classroom as students and academics from Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) brought entrepreneurship, innovation and digital strategy to life through the School of Marketing & Management’s (SoMM) Knowledge Transfer Programme (KTP) 2026.

Titled “Agile Young Entrepreneur: Adapting to Change Through Innovation and Digital Strategy”, the programme was held at Sri Dasmesh International School on 24 July 2026, engaging 65 Year 10 and 11 IGCSE students in a day of practical business challenges.

Led by SoMM Senior Lecturer and Industry Advisory Panel Coordinator Ms Harjinder Kaur, together with Lecturer Ms Haslina Hashim and Assistant Professor Dr Kanesh Gopal Rajadurai, the initiative also created an experiential learning platform for APU students.

From Students to Mentors

Six APU Digital Marketing and International Business Management students – Reshika Ravichandran, Wong Mei Huey, Yaashvin Devraaj, Hassan Hussain Khan, Muhammad Tirhaga Osman Muhammad and Vivekganandan Vadivellu – stepped into the role of peer mentors.

Rather than merely applying theories in assignments, they communicated innovation concepts, guided younger learners through problem-solving activities and adapted their knowledge to different levels of understanding.

The experience strengthened their communication, leadership, teamwork and problem-solving abilities while demonstrating how knowledge can create meaningful impact when shared with others.

Participants explored structured innovation techniques, including SCAMPER, Fishbone Mapping and Force Fitting, before transforming their ideas into digital posters and delivering rapid pitches.

Bringing Industry Realities into Learning

Industry participation brought a further real-world dimension to the programme.

Mr Gurdev Singh, Managing Director of Oxyfresh Malaysia, Founder of Omega Pets Malaysia and Dave Singh Studio, and an APU alumnus, together with Ms Manpreet Kaur, Founder of Omega Pets Malaysia, introduced participants to commercialisation and digital strategy.

Through a “60 Seconds to Sell It” challenge and a simulated RM15,000 marketing budget exercise, participants developed customer profiles, advertising concepts and digital campaigns before defending their decisions in a “Dragon’s Den”-style presentation.

Ms Tan Yet Mee, Founder and CEO of Maypreen Sdn Bhd, representing SustNET, subsequently guided participants in sustainable entrepreneurship. Teams developed green venture concepts incorporating circular economy thinking, environmental responsibility and commercially viable value propositions.

Students Reflect on Learning Through Mentorship

For the APU student mentors, the programme was equally a journey of learning and personal growth.

Digital Marketing student Yaashvin Devraaj said the experience reshaped his understanding of innovation and knowledge transfer. He learnt that effective mentoring goes beyond delivering information to creating an environment where others feel confident to explore ideas and solve problems.

Hassan Hussain Khan, an International Business Management student, described it as a “two-way learning experience”, noting that innovation requires understanding problems from different perspectives before turning ideas into practical solutions.

Fellow Digital Marketing student Vivekganandan Vadivellu said guiding younger students challenged the mentors to translate technical knowledge into clear, actionable guidance while strengthening their own adaptability and communication skills.

Knowledge Transfer as Two-Way Learning

The programme also reflected APU’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, through practical entrepreneurship and skills development, and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, by encouraging sustainable business thinking and circular economy awareness. 

Associate Professor Dr Devinder Kaur, Head of SoMM, said connecting academia, industry and the community enables young learners to develop practical capabilities alongside classroom knowledge.

“The KTP 2026 initiative by SoMM exemplifies APU’s dedication to impactful knowledge transfer by connecting academia, industry and the community. By exposing students to innovation frameworks, digital strategy development and sustainable business thinking, we are empowering the next generation with practical skills that complement classroom learning,” she said.

By bringing together academic guidance, student mentorship and industry experience, SoMM KTP 2026 demonstrated how knowledge transfer can develop future-ready learners in the community while giving APU students meaningful opportunities to grow as communicators, mentors and emerging professionals.