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Recently, Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), in collaboration with Dale Carnegie Malaysia, hosted the APU HR Forum; bringing together students and staff, alongside industry professionals for an engaging discussion on the theme “Beyond Automation: Reclaiming Human Connection in Industry 5.0.”

As artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and digital transformation continue to reshape the workplace, the forum provided a timely platform to examine how organisations can embrace technological advancement, while preserving the human qualities that remain essential to meaningful and effective workplaces. 

Opening the Conversation on Industry 5.0

The forum commenced with an opening address by Professor Ts Dr Murali Raman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of APU, who welcomed participants and emphasised the importance of preparing future talent for an increasingly technology-driven workplace. 

He highlighted that while organisations continue to adopt AI, automation, and digital transformation, human values, creativity, and meaningful connections must remain central to the future of work. 

He further emphasised the role of platforms such as this forum, supported by industry partners such as Dale Carnegie Malaysia, in strengthening dialogue between academia and industry; enabling students and professionals to gain greater awareness of the skills and mindset required to navigate Industry 5.0.

Representing the industry perspective, Dato’ Wan Hisham Wan Salleh, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dale Carnegie Malaysia, delivered a welcoming message on the opportunities and challenges brought about by workplace automation. 

He shared that while emerging technologies are transforming organisational practices, long-term success continues to depend on effective leadership, adaptability, communication, and the ability to build strong human relationships; reinforcing the role of institutions such as APU in preparing future proof professionals to navigate these changes. 

His message reinforced the importance of developing professionals who can leverage technology while leading with empathy and purpose.

Balancing Technology and Human Connection

Following the opening session, the forum moved into its main discussion, featuring a distinguished panel comprising Mr Shahrulnizam Md Nur, Director of Yayasan Tenaga Nasional and Head of Talent Management, Group People Division at Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Assoc Prof Dr Devinder Kaur, Head, School of Marketing and Management at APU, and Dr Seetha Nesaratnam, Head of Learning and Development at Dale Carnegie Malaysia. 

Moderated by Ms Subaashnii Suppramaniam (Head, Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning at APU, and Senior Lecturer, School of Marketing and Management at APU), the discussion brought together perspectives from industry and academia to examine the evolving relationship between technology and people in the workplace. 

From an industry perspective, Mr Shahrulnizam shared practical insights, highlighting how organisations can navigate digital transformation effectively while maintaining employee engagement, strengthening workplace relationships, and fostering a strong organisational culture. 

From an academic perspective, Dr Devinder shared insights into the role of universities such as APU as incubation hubs; providing students with opportunities to develop both their human connections and technical competencies, while preparing them to navigate an evolving work environment through lifelong learning and adaptability. 

Meanwhile, from a professional development perspective, Dr Seetha highlighted the growing importance of interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence in effective leadership; emphasising Dale Carnegie Malaysia’s role in supporting organisations to invest in people development while embracing technological advancement to help employees navigate an evolving workplace. 

Through the diverse insights shared by the panelists, participants gained a deeper appreciation of how industry experience, academic development, and people-focused practices can contribute to a more adaptable and human-centred workplace.

The interactive Q&A session further encouraged participants to explore practical challenges surrounding workplace well-being, ethical AI adoption, leadership, and the future of human-centred organisations. 

Together, the discussions highlighted that succeeding in Industry 5.0 requires more than technological readiness, but also the ability to cultivate the human capabilities needed to create productive, inclusive, and people-centred workplaces. 

The forum concluded with closing remarks by Dr Meera Eeswaran (Senior Lecturer and Committee Member of APU’s DIGITGAL, School of Accounting and Finance at APU), who encouraged participants to embrace innovation through inclusivity, collaboration, and ethical leadership, while recognising the value of industry partnerships such as the collaboration between APU and Dale Carnegie Malaysia in preparing professionals for an evolving world of work. 

Building future Proof Professionals 

The forum marked a meaningful collaboration between APU and Dale Carnegie Malaysia; bringing together academia and industry to exchange insights, encourage dialogue, and strengthen professional engagement. 

The collaboration provides a strong foundation for APU and Dale Carnegie Malaysia to explore further initiatives that support the development of students, staff, and the wider professional community. 

As organisations continue to navigate an increasingly technology-driven workplace, the ability to combine technological competencies with empathy, adaptability, communication, and ethical leadership will remain essential; demonstrating the importance of placing human connection at the heart of technological progress.