APU’s MoU with JET Engineering Solutions strengthens industry-academia collaboration through applied research, student projects, industrial exposure and an industry-funded SCADA automation project that nurtures future-ready engineering talent.

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Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) and JET Engineering Solutions Sdn Bhd have marked a meaningful milestone in industry-academia collaboration through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at fostering innovation, talent development and applied research in engineering technologies. 

The collaboration was formalised on 11 June 2026 by Professor Dr Ho Chin Kuan, Vice Chancellor of APU, and Mr Edward Tan Mun Yew, Executive Director of JET Engineering Solutions Sdn Bhd. The signing was witnessed by Professor Ir Dr Siva Kumar Sivanesan, Head of APU’s School of Engineering (SoE), and Ms Noor Faraziah Binti Hamzah, Head of Human Resource at JET Engineering Solutions.

Also present at the ceremony held on APU campus were Asst Prof Ir EUR ING Ts Dr Lau Chee Yong, Assistant Professor from APU’s SoE, who will serve as Project Supervisor, together with representatives from JET Engineering Solutions, namely Mr Justin John Papu, Chief Executive Officer; Mr Muhammad Syahin Ihsan Bin Nor’en, Assistant Manager; and Mr Muhamad Nuruddeen Bin Mohamad Roslan, System Engineer. 

Mr Muhammad Syahin Ihsan Bin Nor’en is also a proud APU alumnus, having graduated with a BEng (Hons) in Mechatronic Engineering in 2020. 

Founded in 2018, JET Engineering Solutions is a Malaysian-based engineering firm specialising in Smart Grid technologies, system integration and substation automation. Through this partnership, both organisations aim to bridge academic learning with industry practice by creating opportunities for students and academics to engage in research, technology innovation and real-world engineering applications. 

A key highlight of the collaboration is an industry grant provided by JET Engineering Solutions to support a pioneering research project titled “SCADA Engineering Automation Framework: AI-Driven Design Tools and Smart Workflow Automation for Substation Control Systems.”

The project will be undertaken by Yong Shin Cheng, a Mechatronics Engineering student from APU, under the supervision of Asst Prof Dr Lau. Supported by an RM7,000 industry grant from JET Engineering Solutions, the project will explore the application of artificial intelligence and workflow automation technologies in Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) engineering processes. 

By integrating AI-driven design tools with intelligent workflow automation, the project seeks to improve engineering efficiency, reduce repetitive manual tasks and enhance the overall design and implementation of substation control systems. The initiative reflects the growing importance of digitalisation and intelligent engineering solutions within the energy and utilities sector. 

Speaking on the collaboration, Prof Siva Kumar highlighted the importance of industry partnerships in preparing future engineers for the evolving demands of Industry 4.0.

“This collaboration with JET Engineering Solutions connects our students with real engineering challenges. Through the SCADA Engineering Automation Framework project, they will gain practical industry exposure while developing solutions that can create meaningful impact,” said Prof Siva Kumar. 

“We sincerely appreciate JET Engineering Solutions’ support in nurturing engineering talent and advancing applied technological innovation,” he added.

Beyond the MoU signing, the JET Engineering Solutions delegation also visited APU’s Cybersecurity Laboratory, hosted by Asst Prof Dr Julia Juremi, Head of the Forensics and Cyber Security Research Centre (FSeC) at APU. 

During the visit, the delegation was introduced to APU’s cybersecurity capabilities, ongoing research initiatives and specialised facilities. The session sparked interest in exploring future collaborations related to cybersecurity, industry projects and talent development, particularly in view of the increasing importance of cybersecurity across industrial and critical infrastructure environments.

The MoU establishes a framework for broader cooperation between APU and JET Engineering Solutions, covering research and development activities, student projects, industrial training opportunities, knowledge exchange and technology innovation initiatives. 

Both organisations share a common vision of narrowing the gap between academia and industry while supporting the development of future-ready engineering professionals. Collaborations such as this create meaningful opportunities for students to contribute to technology-driven solutions while gaining the job readiness, industry exposure and applied skills needed in today’s evolving engineering landscape. 

The partnership between APU and JET Engineering Solutions is expected to deliver long-term benefits for both organisations while contributing to the continued growth of Malaysia’s engineering and technology ecosystem.