Engineering ingenuity, teamwork and determination propelled two teams from the School of Engineering (SoE) at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) to a double podium finish at the 2nd Oil & Gas Platform Design Competition, demonstrating their ability to translate classroom knowledge into practical engineering solutions. 

Competing against fellow aspiring engineers, Team Silvermist Energies secured second place, while Team PetroX claimed third place at the grand final held on 12 September 2026 at Wisma IEM. 

Organised by the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) Oil, Gas and Mining Technical Division (OGMTD), the competition challenged participants to apply engineering principles, technical knowledge and creative problem-solving skills to the design of an oil and gas platform. 

For the ten APU students, the experience went beyond competing for prizes. It offered an opportunity to tackle an industry-relevant engineering challenge, strengthen their technical capabilities and experience the demands of collaborative design work.

Silvermist Energies, which walked away with RM1,500, brought together students from three engineering disciplines: Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Petroleum Engineering and Mechatronic Engineering. 

The team comprised Jonah Moises Melling, Amer Mohammed Amer Al-Nahdi, Maahika Kamal Malkani, Margaret Mumba Coles and Razafindriaka Tiana Nirina Vatosoa. 

Their multidisciplinary backgrounds enabled them to approach the design challenge from different engineering perspectives, drawing upon their respective areas of expertise while working towards a common goal. 

Guiding their journey were Ir Dr Wong Siew Fan, Senior Lecturer at SoE, as the main supervisor, and Ir EUR ING Ts Dr Harvin Kaur Gurchran Singh, Assistant Professor at SoE, as co-supervisor.

Meanwhile, PetroX, comprising five Petroleum Engineering students, secured third place and RM1,000 in prize money. 

Team members Graham Herbert Bagley, Colin Xavier N.Francis Xavier, Teh Jie Yee, Linishapriyaa P Jagatheesan and Tupanga Ayumi Dos Santos Quilambo demonstrated their collective ability to apply specialised petroleum engineering knowledge to the competition challenge. 

The team was mentored by Ir Dr Harvin Kaur as the main supervisor, supported by Ir Dr Wong Siew Fan as co-supervisor. 

Throughout their preparations, both teams had to develop their design ideas, exercise sound technical judgement and communicate their proposed solutions effectively. The process also demanded perseverance, adaptability and teamwork — essential attributes for engineers entering an increasingly complex industry. 

Their supervisors played an important role in supporting their technical development, encouraging critical thinking and helping them approach the challenge with greater confidence. 

Congratulating both teams, Professor Ir Dr Siva Kumar Sivanesan, Head of APU’s School of Engineering, said:

“Engineering excellence is not measured solely by what students know, but by how effectively they apply that knowledge to solve real-world challenges. These double podium finishes reflect our students’ determination, creativity and ability to work across disciplines. I am particularly proud of their willingness to step beyond the classroom, test their capabilities and learn from the experience. Equally important is the dedication of our academic mentors, whose guidance helps transform students’ potential into achievement.”

The double victory marks another proud milestone for APU’s engineering community, reflecting the value of experiential learning and academic mentorship in developing industry-ready graduates. 

More importantly, the achievements of Silvermist Energies and PetroX serve as an inspiration to fellow students to embrace challenges, explore opportunities beyond their academic curriculum and pursue engineering excellence with confidence.