Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) has secured six honours at the Private Education Excellence Awards 2026; comprising two major institutional awards and four individual recognitions.

APU was named Best Private University and Best AI University, while four members of APU’s academic and research community were recognised with national and international-level awards for their contributions to teaching, research, and academic leadership:

• Prof Dr Falahat Nejadmahani (Director, Strategic Research Institute at APU): Global Research Network Leadership Award.
• Assoc Prof Ts Dr Vinothini Kasinathan (Associate Professor, School of Computing at APU): National Outstanding Innovator Award.
• Assoc Prof Dr Ahmed Jamal Abdullah Al-Gburi (Associate Professor, Strategic Research Institute at APU): National Outstanding Young Researcher Award.
• Dr TamilSelvan Ramis (Lecturer, School of Psychology at APU): National Outstanding Young Educator Award.
   

The awards ceremony held on 5th October at Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, was organised by the Private Education Cooperative of Malaysia (EduCoop) and the National Association of Private Educational Institutions (NAPEI) in partnership with Emerald Publishing; bringing together leaders, educators, and representatives from Malaysia’s private education sector to celebrate excellence and contributions to the higher education landscape. 

Strengthening Excellence in Higher Education and AI

The Best Private University Award recognises APU’s broader performance as a higher education institution, supported by its academic offerings, industry engagement, graduate outcomes and international standing.

Datuk Parmjit Singh, Chief Executive Officer of APU, highlighted that APU’s approach combines discipline-specific education with practical learning and industry exposure; giving students opportunities to apply their knowledge through projects, competitions, research, and professional engagement.

“This is complemented by the university’s extensive network of industry and academic partners, which contributes to curriculum development, student activities, and opportunities beyond the classroom.

“The university’s international standing further supports its position within the private higher education sector, with APU holding QS Five-Star Plus status and UK Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) accreditation, alongside continued recognition for graduate employability and employer engagement,” he said.

Complementing this institutional recognition, the Best AI University Award reflects APU’s development of artificial intelligence (AI), as both a specialised area of study and an increasingly integrated part of its wider academic environment.

Professor Dr Ho Chin Kuan, Vice-Chancellor of APU, noted that students can engage with AI through programmes, research projects, competitions, and industry-linked initiatives, while dedicated facilities provide opportunities to work with advanced tools and computing infrastructure; including APU’s NVIDIA-powered DGX Spark AI Supercomputing Lab, which supports AI development, experimentation, and research.

“The university has also expanded opportunities for students and academics to explore emerging AI applications through collaborations, hackathons, and interdisciplinary activities; supporting the application of AI across different areas of education and professional practice.”

Celebrating Academic and Research Talent

Together, the awards reflect the contributions of academics at different stages of their careers, while showcasing their work in advancing learning, developing new knowledge, and strengthening research engagement at both national and international levels.

As Chief Judge of the Private Education Excellence Awards 2026, Professor Ts Dr Murali Raman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of APU, underscored the importance of recognising educators and academics whose work contributes to the advancement of higher education.

He highlighted how the individual awards provide an opportunity to acknowledge diverse forms of contribution, from teaching and innovation to research and academic leadership, across Malaysia’s private education sector. 

Looking Ahead with Continued Momentum

The six honours at the Private Education Excellence Awards 2026 mark a significant milestone for APU; reflecting the university’s continued efforts to strengthen its academic environment, while creating opportunities for students and academics to learn, collaborate, and contribute within their respective fields.

As APU looks ahead, the recognition provides further momentum to build on its academic strengths, deepen industry, and academic partnerships, and expand opportunities for innovation, research, and learning.

With the collective efforts of its students, academics, researchers, and professional community, APU remains focused on supporting students and advancing its contribution to the wider higher education landscape.