Thirty-two students from EFREI, France, took part in the inaugural APU Final Pitching, presenting innovative ideas that combined Malaysian traditional games with digital technologies to promote cultural tourism while participating in cultural experiences and Design Thinking activities throughout the six-week programme, providing valuable opportunities for innovation, collaboration and cross-cultural learning.

A vibrant celebration of culture, creativity and technology unfolded at the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) as 32 students from École d'Ingénieur Généraliste en Informatique et Technologies du Numérique (EFREI), France, showcased their innovative ideas during the inaugural Final Pitching themed ‘Malaysia as a Cultural Tourism Destination: Enhancing Cultural Experiences Through Traditional Games and Technology’ on 5 June 2026. 

EFREI is a renowned private engineering school based in Villejuif, south of Paris, France. 

Over six weeks, from 27 April to 5 June 2026, they immersed themselves in Malaysian culture while applying cutting-edge digital technologies to reimagine traditional games as engaging tourism experiences.

Inspired by beloved Malaysian games such as Congkak, Sepak Takraw, Capteh, Ceper, Guli, Gasing and Batu Seremban, the students explored ways to preserve cultural heritage through digital transformation. 

Their proposals demonstrated how emerging technologies could enhance visitor engagement and promote Malaysia’s rich cultural identity to a global audience. 

Seven teams presented their final projects before a panel of APU lecturers, who evaluated each presentation based on creativity, innovation, technical precision and practical application. 

Throughout the programme, students applied knowledge gained from modules including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Computational Thinking, Business Intelligence, Digital Business Ecosystem and Digital Design, which were delivered by Associate Professor Ts Dr Vinothini Kasinathan, Ts Mohammad Namazee Mohd. Nizam, Ms Palvinderjit Kaur, Dr Mukil Alagirisamy and Dr Sharman Sundarajoo.

Outstanding performances were recognised through awards for Best Group Presentation, Best Programmer and Best Presenter, celebrating students who demonstrated exceptional creativity, technical ability and presentation skills. 

Beyond the final pitching session, the French students also experienced Malaysia’s vibrant cultural heritage through a traditional games and cultural demonstration organised by Muzium Malaysia at APU. 

The interactive activities allowed them to gain first-hand experience of Malaysia’s traditional games while deepening their appreciation of the country's diverse cultural landscape.

The programme concluded with students proposing a range of digital solutions, including digital transformation strategies, chatbots and business analytics applications, to support the promotion of Malaysia’s traditional games and cultural tourism. 

Their innovative ideas reflected not only their technical expertise but also the meaningful cultural exchange fostered throughout the programme. 

The experience left the students with lasting memories and a deeper appreciation of Malaysia’s unique heritage before returning to France.

Building Creativity Through the Spaghetti Marshmallow Challenge

As part of their Design Thinking learning experience, the students also took part in the Spaghetti Marshmallow Challenge conducted by Dr Mukil Alagirisamy. 

The hands-on activity challenged seven teams to design and construct the tallest free-standing tower using only spaghetti sticks and marshmallows within 40 minutes. 

The challenge encouraged students to think creatively, collaborate effectively and solve problems under time pressure. 

Working together, each team brainstormed ideas, developed structural concepts, assigned responsibilities and refined their designs through continuous testing and improvement.

Throughout the activity, students strengthened their critical thinking, communication and teamwork skills while experiencing the iterative nature of the Design Thinking process. 

They learned the value of experimentation, adaptability and resilience as they overcame design limitations and improved the stability of their structures. 

At the end of the challenge, each tower was assessed based on its height, structural stability and the effectiveness of teamwork demonstrated throughout the exercise. 

Constructive feedback highlighted the strengths of each design while offering suggestions for improvement, including stronger structural support, better load distribution, more effective planning and enhanced team coordination. 

The Spaghetti Marshmallow Challenge provided an enjoyable yet meaningful learning experience, reinforcing the principles of Design Thinking through practical application. 

By combining creativity with collaboration, the activity equipped students with valuable skills in leadership, innovation and problem-solving that will continue to benefit them throughout their academic and professional journeys.