Two Silver Medals and a Bronze Medal at I-PICTL 2026 and SULAM@UPM Carnival 2026 celebrate APU’s commitment to transforming mathematics education, empowering young learners and translating academic knowledge into meaningful community impact.

Mathematics is more than numbers, formulas and equations. It is a powerful tool for nurturing confidence, solving real-world problems and making a difference in society. This belief has earned academics from the School of Mathematics, Actuarial and Quantitative Studies (SoMAQS) at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) three prestigious recognitions for their innovative approaches to teaching, learning and community engagement. 

The APU academics secured two Silver Medals and one Bronze Medal at the Putra Innocreative Poster Competition, held in conjunction with the 8th International Putra Innocreative Carnival in Teaching and Learning (I-PICTL 2026) and the Service-Learning Malaysia – University for Society (SULAM@UPM) Carnival 2026, on 14 and 15 September 2026.

The event was held entirely online via the ZEP Metaverse platform. 

The triple achievement highlights how APU academics are advancing mathematics education beyond conventional classrooms, combining innovative teaching methods with knowledge transfer and community-driven initiatives that benefit both learners and society.

Celebrating Academic Excellence with Purpose

Leading the School's achievements was the APU Math Clinic, which secured a Silver Medal at I-PICTL 2026 for its project, "APU Math Clinic: Transforming Mathematics Learning Through Structured Peer-Assisted Learning." 

The project was jointly led by Dr Sireesha Prathi Gadapa, Senior Lecturer at SoMAQS, and Assoc Prof Dr Rajasegeran Ramasamy, Head of SoMAQS.

Another Silver Medal was awarded at the SULAM@UPM Carnival 2026 to "Numbers for Nature: Empowering Underserved Young Learners Through Mathematical Exploration and Sustainability Education." The initiative was spearheaded by Ms Hazlina Darman, Senior Lecturer at SoMAQS, alongside academic team members Ms Sarah Haji Musa and Dr Rahimah Abdul Rafar.

Completing the School's triple-medal achievement was "Bridging Knowledge and Safer Communities: A University–School Knowledge Transfer Program in Mathematics, Data Analytics, and Road Safety," which received a Bronze Medal at I-PICTL 2026.

The project was led by Dr Sireesha Prathi Gadapa, supported by fellow SoMAQS academics Ms Sivasakthi Santrewarman, Mr Lee Chee Nian and Ms Sarah Haji Musa.

Reflecting on these achievements, Assoc Prof Dr Rajasegeran Ramasamy emphasised the importance of nurturing academic excellence that extends beyond examination results and traditional measures of success.

“At APU, we believe mathematics education should go beyond technical knowledge to inspire confidence, critical thinking and meaningful contributions to society. These three awards reflect our academics’ dedication to transforming knowledge into practical solutions through innovation, compassion and collaboration. Their achievements demonstrate that true academic excellence lies not only in what we teach, but also in the positive impact we create in people’s lives.”

APU Math Clinic: Building Confidence, One Problem at a Time

For students who find mathematics challenging, having someone to guide them through a difficult concept can make all the difference.

Recognising this need, the APU Math Clinic offers daily peer-led academic support to help students strengthen their fundamental mathematics skills, develop problem-solving abilities and overcome learning challenges with greater confidence.

Unlike conventional approaches that rely primarily on lecturer-led instruction, the initiative adopts a structured peer-assisted learning model, encouraging students to learn collaboratively in a supportive, approachable environment.

By making mathematical assistance more accessible, the Math Clinic helps students address knowledge gaps while cultivating independent learning habits and a stronger sense of academic belonging.

Its Silver Medal recognition acknowledges the value of sustained, student-centred educational interventions in promoting inclusive, quality learning, in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education.

Numbers for Nature: Where Mathematics Meets Sustainability

Meanwhile, the Silver Medal-winning Numbers for Nature initiative demonstrates how mathematical knowledge can become a gateway to environmental awareness and responsible citizenship.

Implemented through the Knowledge Transfer Programme (KTP) – Earth Day 2025, the project engaged 35 underserved young learners in mathematics-based games, hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) exploration, and sustainability education.

Rather than presenting mathematics as an abstract subject, the activities connected numbers and problem-solving with everyday environmental concerns, including responsible electronic waste (e-waste) management and sustainable living practices.

A distinctive strength of the initiative was its collaboration across four sectors: academia, represented by APU; government, through the Department of Environment Malaysia, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur; industry, represented by MILI EV Hybrid; and the community, through Rumah Bakti Al Kausar.

Together, these partners created opportunities for young learners to experience education that was engaging, relevant and socially meaningful.

The project supports SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), illustrating how collaborative knowledge transfer can help nurture environmentally conscious future generations.

Bridging Knowledge and Safer Communities Through Mathematics

The Bronze Medal-winning Bridging Knowledge and Safer Communities project takes a different yet equally meaningful approach to applying mathematical knowledge.
 

By connecting mathematics, data analytics and road safety, the university–school knowledge transfer programme demonstrates how classroom concepts can help learners understand practical challenges affecting their communities.

The initiative seeks to encourage students to recognise the relevance of mathematical reasoning and data-informed thinking in promoting road safety awareness and responsible behaviour.

Through interdisciplinary learning and university–school collaboration, the project provides opportunities to connect academic understanding with everyday experiences, reinforcing the idea that mathematical knowledge has applications far beyond textbooks.

Its recognition at I-PICTL 2026 reflects the potential of innovative knowledge transfer to address community needs while supporting SDG 4 (Quality Education) and contributing to the broader aspirations of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

The triple-medal achievement highlights the collaborative spirit among APU academics, whose contributions extend across innovative pedagogy, interdisciplinary learning and meaningful partnerships with external stakeholders.

For APU, academic excellence is not simply about achieving recognition. It is about inspiring learners, empowering communities and creating a lasting impact through education.