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On 28 August 2025, CyberNexus (CYNX), a vibrant student-led startup community formed by passionate Cybersecurity undergraduates at the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), successfully organised its very own Capture the Flag (CTF) competition. 

With a mission to provide juniors with valuable learning opportunities and resources, CyberNexus once again proved the strength of APU’s hands-on approach to teaching and learning. 

Mentored by Mr Shahab Alizadeh, Senior Lecturer at the School of Technology (SoT), the event was wholly created, hosted, and managed by APU’s Year-2 and Year-3 Cybersecurity students. 

It drew over 240 participants forming 60 teams, showcasing not only academic knowledge but also the ability to execute professional-level projects within a rich and supportive learning environment. 

A Community Open to All

“Besides our very own students, these 240 participants were also made up of students from other universities. They reached out to me directly, requesting a chance to participate and learn more about Capture the Flag,” explained Koh Tom Han, an APU Cybersecurity student and the Founder of CyberNexus. 

Koh Tom Han’s vision of opening CYNX to a wider academic audience reflects the collaborative and inclusive culture cultivated at APU. 

The competition highlighted APU’s role not just as a provider of structured academic programmes, but also as a hub for real-world application of skills, enabling students to represent both their university and the wider Cybersecurity community. 

Training for the Real World

Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions are widely regarded as essential training grounds for future cybersecurity professionals. In such exercises, participants attempt to uncover hidden text strings, known as “flags”, embedded within purposefully vulnerable programmes or websites. This requires a combination of technical proficiency, analytical reasoning, and creative problem-solving—skills strongly emphasised within APU’s curriculum. 

On competition day, the event adopted a hybrid format. Over 100 students competed physically on campus in teams of five, while the rest joined virtually from various locations, creating a dynamic, collaborative atmosphere that mirrored real-world cybersecurity challenges. 

Dedication of Academics and Mentors

Reflecting on the progress of his students, Mr Shahab Alizadeh said: 

“I have had the privilege of working with these students even after they completed my Capture the Flag module. Their dedication has been truly remarkable. Under the leadership of Koh Tom Han, who initially took the initiative to organise a workshop for his classmates, the team expanded their efforts into a full-scale CTF project and competition. I was deeply inspired to see how their creativity, commitment, and hard work came together to achieve such a successful outcome.” 

His words illustrate the hallmark of APU’s academic culture: educators who go beyond classroom instruction to mentor, inspire, and nurture students into becoming leaders and innovators. 

Powered by Industry Support 

The competition also gained support from Cytron Technologies, whose sponsorship enabled CyberNexus to bring its vision to life. This partnership reflected the synergy between industry and academia at APU, where student-led initiatives are actively supported to create real impact. 

Nurturing the Next Generation of Cybersecurity Leaders

By creating and hosting a high-profile event that attracted nationwide participation, CyberNexus exemplified the values of APU—academic excellence, hands-on training, and a commitment to developing future-ready professionals. 

The CTF competition not only demonstrated technical capabilities but also highlighted the leadership, teamwork, and dedication of APU students and academics in driving Malaysia’s cybersecurity ecosystem forward.