APU Named Best Tech, AI and Future-Ready University

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The Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) has once again proven its leadership in higher education by emerging as the sole winner in three major education categories at the prestigious 25th PC.com Readers’ Choice Awards. 

Held on 24 September 2025 at Sunway Resort Hotel, the Oscar-style ceremony marked the silver jubilee of the awards under the theme “The Dawn of AI”.

Outshining over 250 nominations across 70 categories, APU was named Best Tech University, Best AI University, and Best Future-Ready University — an extraordinary feat that underscores its position as Malaysia’s leading private higher education institution. 

Voted by more than 36,000 readers nationwide, this triple recognition reflects APU’s unique strength in nurturing talent for the digital economy.

APU’s management and academic leadership who attended the event included: Professor Dr Ho Chin Kuan, Vice-Chancellor; Professor Ts Dr Murali Raman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Development and Strategy); Professor Ir EUR ING Dr Vinesh Thiruchelvam, Chief Innovation & Enterprise Officer; Associate Professor Dr Thang Ka Fei, Senior Head of the School of Technology; Associate Professor Ir Dr Siva Kumar Sivanesan, Head of the School of Engineering; Professor Dr Mohammad Falahat, Director of the Strategic Research Institute; Ts Nur Zahdi Mohd Nor Aldin, Director of Quality Management; and Mr Muhammad Anis Ur Rehman, Senior Director of Student Services.

Consistency and Continuity in Excellence

This year’s victory carries added significance as it represents the third consecutive year APU has secured top honours at the PC.com Awards. 

Having won similar awards in both 2023 and 2024, the university has demonstrated not only academic excellence but also remarkable consistency in delivering quality, innovation, and relevance across its programmes.

Such sustained recognition highlights APU’s reputation and reaffirms its identity as an innovation ecosystem — a space where industry partnerships, cutting-edge research, and agile curriculum design converge to produce graduates who are highly employable, entrepreneurial, and globally competitive.

Leading in Technology and Artificial Intelligence

APU’s win as Best Tech University reflects its strong integration of emerging technologies such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), and immersive media into its academic framework. 

These areas form the backbone of the university’s forward-looking programmes, ensuring that students gain both technical expertise and industry relevance.

Meanwhile, the Best AI University title acknowledges APU’s pioneering efforts in AI education. From specialised academic programmes to real-world collaborations, APU has established itself as a trailblazer in preparing graduates for the AI-driven future. 

Its Digital Learning Hub and the UNESCO Chair Malaysia initiative have already trained more than 7,000 individuals worldwide in Generative AI applications for education.

Adding to this momentum, APU organised the Great Malaysia AI Hackathon 2025, recognised in the ASEAN Book of Records as the largest industry-academic AI hackathon. The landmark event drew 1,741 participants, including 1,547 students from over 50 universities and 194 professionals, in collaboration with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Future-Proofing Graduates for Global Careers

Perhaps the most defining award is Best Future-Ready University, which underscores APU’s ability to anticipate workforce trends and equip graduates with future-proof capabilities such as problem-solving, digital agility, and global employability. 

APU’s curriculum is strategically designed to stay ahead of digital disruption, offering future-focused programmes spanning AI, Cybersecurity, Cloud Engineering, Data Analytics, FinTech, and Immersive Media. 

From diploma to PhD level, graduates are empowered to be entrepreneurial, globally employable, and ready to lead in a rapidly changing world.

The Ministry of Higher Education’s latest Graduate Tracer Study reaffirms this strength, reporting a 100% graduate employability rate at APU. With more than 80,000 alumni worldwide, the university continues to live out its philosophy of “employability by design”.

National and Global Recognition

In 2025 alone, APU has accumulated a series of accolades that cement its reputation. It was honoured as Malaysia’s Best University for AI Excellence at the EDUCOOP Private Education Excellence Awards, recognised as Employers’ Choice of University 2025 in Talentbank’s national survey, and celebrated its students’ outstanding achievements in both national and international competitions.

On the global stage, APU secured Global Quality Accreditation by the UK’s Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) and achieved a position in the QS World University Rankings 2026, placing it among the top 2% of universities worldwide.

A Vision Beyond Awards

APU Vice Chancellor, Prof Dr Ho Chin Kuan, expressed deep gratitude to students, alumni, and industry partners for their trust and support: “Winning these prestigious awards would not have been possible without the continuous confidence placed in us.” 

“These achievements belong equally to our students, whose creativity, resilience, and success truly define APU’s reputation. They are both a validation of our journey and an inspiration to keep innovating and leading,” he continued.

Looking ahead, APU aims to strengthen its global partnerships, deepen research and innovation, and enhance employability ecosystems. 

The university’s vision extends beyond sustaining its 100% graduate employability rate by seeking to empower graduates for global career mobility and leadership roles in the digital economy.

Concluding on a forward-looking note, Prof Dr Ho affirmed: “This recognition is not an endpoint but a milestone. APU will continue to future-proof our curriculum, build stronger industry collaborations, and create impactful innovation ecosystems — ensuring our graduates remain leaders at the forefront of the AI-driven global economy.”