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Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU) made a strong impact at the 2nd Kuala Lumpur Engineering Forum (KLEF) 2025, held from 9–10 September 2025 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. 

The forum was jointly organised by the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) and C.I.S Network Sdn. Bhd., drawing leading policymakers, industry captains, and academic experts to shape the future of engineering for a sustainable and resilient society.

APU’s presence was particularly notable through the contributions of Professor Ir EUR ING Dr Vinesh Thiruchelvam, Chief Innovation & Enterprise Officer, who moderated Session 4: Fireside Chat: AI-Driven Engineering for Disaster-Proof Innovations on Day 1. 

This high-level dialogue brought together renowned speakers, including Dr Mazlan Abbas (CEO of FAVORIOT), Mr Wong Sik Kwang (Principal at Arup Malaysia), and Mr Eugene Quah (Country President of Schneider Electric Malaysia), exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming disaster resilience and sustainable infrastructure development.

Showcasing Emerging Voices

APU’s representation was further strengthened by Assistant Professor Ir EUR ING Ts Dr Lau Chee Yong from the School of Engineering (SoE), who participated as a panellist in Session 6: When IEC Young Professionals Speak… on Day 2 of the ASEAN Electrotechnical Symposium & Exhibition (IESE). 

This session focused on the perspectives of rising engineering professionals and their role in shaping electrotechnical standards across the ASEAN region.

Distinguished Dignitaries and Key Themes

The forum’s stature was reflected by the presence of Yang Amat Berhormat Dato' Sri Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, who officiated ENGINEER and MARVEX. YB Liew Chin Tong also graced the event as a VVIP guest.

KLEF 2025 featured an impressive roster of international and local speakers, such as YBhg. Dato’ Seri Azman Ibrahim (Secretary-General, Ministry of Works Malaysia), Er Dr Tan Seng Chuan (President-Elect, World Federation of Engineering Organisations), and Mr Jo Cops (President, International Electrotechnical Commission).

The discussions revolved around five transformative themes:

• Engineering Leadership
• ESG & Green Design
• Smart Technologies
• Resilient Systems
• Sustainability Innovations
   

Across two days, over 40 visionary speakers covered pressing topics such as EV charging infrastructure, smart building technologies, sustainable maintenance solutions, and data centre sustainability.

Strategic Advantages for APU

APU’s active participation in KLEF 2025 yielded significant benefits for the university. These can be summarised as follows:

Strategic Advantages of APU’s Participation:

• Industry Visibility & Reputation
   

By engaging alongside industry leaders such as Schneider Electric, FAVORIOT, and Arup Malaysia, APU demonstrated its strength as a top-tier academic institution in engineering education and innovation. This reinforced the university’s reputation among potential collaborators and strengthened its industry standing.

• Knowledge Exchange & Research Opportunities
   

The forum enabled faculty to engage deeply with the latest developments in artificial intelligence, disaster-proof engineering, and sustainability. Prof Vinesh’s role in the AI-driven session reinforced APU’s commitment to innovation, while also creating avenues for research-driven exploration.

• Network Expansion & Collaboration
   

By connecting with representatives from PETRONAS, the Energy Commission Malaysia, the Department of Standards Malaysia, and other multinational corporations, APU gained fresh opportunities for industry partnerships, collaborative research, and student placements.

• Student & Faculty Development
   

Participation exposed APU’s faculty to international best practices and cutting-edge technologies. The insights gained will be integrated into academic curricula, ensuring students benefit from real-world applications that align with industry needs.

• Positioning in Sustainability Leadership
   

Given the forum’s emphasis on ESG and sustainable engineering, APU’s involvement further solidified its role in producing graduates who are equipped to address global challenges such as climate change, rapid urbanisation, and digital disruption.

Looking Ahead

The distinguished contributions of Prof Vinesh and Dr Lau at KLEF 2025 embody APU’s dedication to academic excellence, industry engagement, and innovation-driven leadership.

By actively shaping discussions on AI-driven innovations, electrotechnical standards, and sustainable engineering practices, APU has enhanced its position as a forward-looking institution. 

This participation not only enriches the academic community but also contributes meaningfully to Malaysia’s engineering landscape and to sustainable technological development across the ASEAN region.