How APU Engineers Are Built for the Real World

Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU) opened 2026 on a triumphant note as Team Tesla clinched the First Runner-Up position at the BIMAGE Automotive Structural Design Workshop & Creative Design Showcase Competition. 

More than a trophy, the achievement represents something deeper: proof that when students are placed in demanding, high-level arenas alongside formidable opponents, they emerge sharper, stronger, and better prepared for the realities of professional life.

Concluded on 6 January 2026, the competition was organised by BIMAGE Consulting (M) Sdn. Bhd., in collaboration with the IMechE Universiti Malaya Student Chapter and AKIUM. 

Designed to elevate the technical proficiency of mechanical engineering students, the event brought together some of the brightest minds from Malaysia’s leading universities—turning learning into a live, industry-driven test of capability.

Rising Against the Best

APU’s Team Tesla comprised three Bachelor of Mechatronic Engineering with Honours students: Priyashini Nagarajan, Wong Yong Jien, and Kevin Hoe Jian Vei. Competing against teams from top institutions, including Universiti Malaya, they demonstrated exceptional engineering insight in automotive structural optimisation.

Guided by Assistant Professor Ir EUR ING Ts Dr Lau Chee Yong, School of Engineering (SoE) and Visionary AI Studio Lead at APU, the team embraced the challenge with determination. Their success reflects APU’s enduring commitment to nurturing innovation and technical excellence through industry-relevant competitions and hands-on learning experiences.

Where Training Meets Reality

The BIMAGE competition combined intensive training with immediate application. Participants attended a compulsory two-day workshop on 20–21 December 2025 at Universiti Malaya’s ECC 8 facility, mastering Autodesk Inventor and Autodesk Fusion, with a strong emphasis on generative design. This powerful technology enables software to determine optimal component designs based on defined parameters—a cornerstone of modern engineering.

Armed with new tools, teams were given just one week to redesign or  ptimize an automotive component. By 28 December, they had to submit 3D models, presentation decks, and videos. Designs were judged on innovation, sustainability, manufacturing feasibility, engineering logic, and presentation quality.

Six teams advanced to the final pitching round on 6 January 2026, presenting before BIMAGE representatives and the company’s CEO. 

Engineering Under Pressure 

Team Tesla chose to 4ptimize the steering knuckle—a critical control hub connecting multiple automotive systems. The challenge was complex: achieve a balance between strength and weight. The component had to withstand multidirectional loads while remaining light enough to reduce unsprung mass and enhance vehicle performance. 

Through multiple generative design iterations and material evaluations, the team pursued the best weight-to-strength ratio. The process demanded not only technical rigour but also resilience. 

The competition period coincided with the Christmas holidays—when most students were with family and friends. Yet Team Tesla pressed on, meeting every deadline. 

When they reached the top six, a new challenge emerged. Judges’ feedback required changes, but major CAD and simulation revisions were unrealistic within the timeframe. The team pivoted strategically: instead of reengineering the entire model, they refined how they explained it—strengthening their narrative, clarifying design logic, and anticipating technical questions. 

Learning to Perform Under Fire 

Reflecting on the journey, Priyashini Nagarajan shared, “This First Runner-Up achievement marks our first win of 2026—an exciting year start that taught us invaluable lessons in design and presentation under real constraints.” 

For Wong Yong Jien, the pressure of the finals became a personal training ground, “Presenting third among six finalists, we felt immense pressure watching the first two teams deliver outstanding presentations. I reminded myself to see this not as life-or-death, but as an opportunity to train my presentation skills and build confidence. That reframing relieved the pressure tremendously.” 

Kevin Hoe Jian Vei captured the essence of the experience, “This journey strengthened our technical competence and engineering judgement, while revealing the resilience and teamwork behind our efforts. Achieving First Runner-Up is a proud milestone and reinforces our aspiration to contribute to smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0-driven engineering solutions.” 

Strength Beyond the Podium

Another APU team, Minecraft Saga—comprising Tan Ti Kang, Ho Zu Ming, and Ng Yan Hong—also reached the top six finalists with their chassis optimisation project. Although they did not secure a podium finish, their technical depth and presentation quality reflected the breadth of APU’s engineering strength. 

Preparing Engineers for Tomorrow

Congratulating the teams, Professor Ir EUR ING Dr Vinesh Thiruchelvam, Chief Innovation and Enterprise Officer of APU, remarked, “Congratulations to Team Tesla on this outstanding achievement! Your success exemplifies the engineering excellence and innovative spirit we cultivate at APU.” 

He added, “This accomplishment demonstrates that our students can compete at the highest levels, combining technical proficiency with professional presentation skills. Your perseverance and strategic thinking reflect the holistic engineering education we provide. Well done!” 

In the end, the true victory lies not only in medals but in mindset. By stepping into demanding competitions with strong opponents, APU students learn to think critically, adapt swiftly, and perform under pressure. And in doing so, they become ready for the real world.