APU Brings Sustainable Innovation to GIIS Kuala Lumpur Students Through a Knowledge-Transfer Mission to Inspire Future Engineers

From 25 to 27 November 2025, the School of Engineering (SoE) at the Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU) carried out a comprehensive three-day knowledge-transfer workshop for Year 11 students at the Global Indian International School Kuala Lumpur (GIIS KL). 

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Set in Brickfields—Kuala Lumpur’s vibrant enclave affectionately known as “Little India”—the initiative welcomed around 40 enthusiastic learners eager to explore the world of sustainable engineering and emerging research trends. 

Designed as an educational bridge between secondary school learning and university-level engineering, the programme offered a stimulating introduction to modern engineering challenges, future technologies, and real-world applications. The workshop’s aim was clear: to ignite curiosity, empower young people with technical insight, and inspire them to consider engineering as a meaningful and future-ready profession. 

Leading the Charge: Experts Bringing Engineering to Life

The workshop was spearheaded by Dr Mukil Alagirisamy, Senior Lecturer at the School of Engineering, whose leadership set the direction for a series of expert-led sessions. She was joined by her colleagues—Associate Professor Ir Dr Siva Kumar Sivanesan, Head of SoE; Senior Lecturer Ir Ts Dr Yvette Shaan-Li Susiapan; Associate Professor Ts Dr Sathish Kumar Selva Perumal; and Assistant Professor Ir Ts Dr Denesh Sooriamoorthy. The academic team delivered lectures and activities tailored to spark interest among young learners. 

The programme opened with a warm address by GIIS KL Principal, Ms Dipti Joshna, followed by remarks from Dr Siva Kumar. Their message underscored the critical role of sustainability in shaping the engineering landscape, setting a purposeful tone for the days ahead. 

Day 1: Drones, Green Technologies, and the Future of Transport

The first day featured a captivating session by Dr Mukil titled “Signal Processing in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and its Sustainability”. Students explored how UAVs utilise sensors, signal processing, and autonomous navigation systems to support disaster response, environmental monitoring, and efficient logistics. The discussion translated complex engineering principles into relatable, real-world scenarios. 

The introduction to Sustainability in Engineering further expanded the learners' understanding of today’s environmental challenges—climate change, resource depletion, and the pressing need for clean technologies. Examples such as renewable energy systems and eco-friendly transportation made the concepts accessible and relevant. 

Dr Denesh then introduced the fundamentals of Electric Vehicles (EVs), presenting battery systems, charging technologies, and the environmental advantages of clean energy. His talk on solar and wind energy offered a grounding in renewable power generation, highlighting their role in reducing carbon emissions. Visual demonstrations made these advanced topics digestible and memorable, leaving students inspired by the possibilities of sustainable innovation. 

Day 2: Discovering the Power of “Magic Materials” in Healthcare

Day 2 opened with a research-driven session led by Dr Sathish Kumar, titled “Magic Materials That Help Find Cancer”. Students were introduced to metamaterials, biosensors, and advanced diagnostic technologies. The session illuminated how engineering breakthroughs are transforming medical imaging, improving early tumour detection, and ultimately saving lives. This compelling intersection of engineering and healthcare captured the students’ imagination and showcased the diverse impact of engineering research. 

Following this, Dr Yvette conducted a lively interactive quiz covering UAVs, EVs, and metamaterials. The friendly competition fostered teamwork and reinforced key concepts from the earlier sessions, adding an engaging and energetic element to the workshop. 

Day 3: Charting Pathways to the Engineering Profession

The final day was dedicated to helping students connect their new knowledge to future academic and career opportunities. Dr Yvette delivered an insightful overview of APU’s Engineering Programmes, highlighting available specialisations, industry collaborations, internships, and career pathways. For many students, this session provided valuable clarity on what it means to pursue engineering at the tertiary level. 

A Certificate Distribution Ceremony followed, acknowledging each participant’s enthusiasm and commitment. In her closing remarks, Dr Mukil expressed gratitude to the school’s leadership and teachers, and presented a token of appreciation to the Principal, reinforcing the growing partnership between APU and GIIS KL. 

Cultivating Future Engineers Through Early Exposure

The three-day workshop proved to be a meaningful and transformative experience. Students not only gained hands-on exposure to sustainable engineering concepts and cutting-edge technologies, but also developed a deeper appreciation for how engineering shapes society and enhances quality of life. 

By blending expert insights, interactive discussions, and research-focused content, the programme succeeded in nurturing curiosity and motivating students to explore engineering as a future profession. In delivering this knowledge-transfer initiative, APU’s School of Engineering reaffirmed its commitment to empowering the next generation of innovators—one classroom at a time.