Exposure to China’s thriving technology ecosystem placed APU’s leadership and student entrepreneurs at the crossroads of the world’s next wave of innovation—reinforcing the University’s role as a catalyst for future-ready talent and transformative ideas.

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In mid-December last year, Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) stood proudly among global innovation leaders at the 2025 Zhejiang Innovation & Collaboration Partners Conference in Hangzhou, China. 

Hosted by the Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University (YIT), Zhejiang, the prestigious event brought together leading universities, research institutes and industry partners from across the world—including Brazil, Hungary, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Thailand, Norway and Pakistan. 

More than a conference, it was a convergence of minds shaping the future. The atmosphere reflected a shared ambition: to reimagine how education, technology and enterprise intersect in an era defined by rapid digital transformation. 

For APU, this was a strategic opportunity to engage directly with one of the world’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems—one that is fast becoming the forefront of global technological development. 

A Delegation that Represents the Future 

Led by Professor Ir EUR ING Dr Vinesh Thiruchelvam, Chief Innovation & Enterprise Officer, APU’s delegation comprised Dr Beh Ching Yew, Head of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and Jayden Than Chi Ren, a Bachelor of Computer Science (Hons) (Artificial Intelligence) student who is also a student-startup founder. 

The presence of both institutional leadership and a student entrepreneur was deliberate. It reflected APU’s belief that innovation is not confined to boardrooms or laboratories—it thrives when academic vision and youthful ingenuity converge.

Held from 15 to 19 December 2025 at the Zhijiang Hangzhou Hotel, the conference marked a pivotal milestone as APU formalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with YIT. The agreement was inked by Prof Vinesh and Dr Yuanyuan Li, Director of YIT’s International Cooperation Department, during the International Cooperation Strategic Signing Ceremony. 

A Strategic Bridge Between Ecosystems

The MoU signifies a major milestone in APU’s internationalisation strategy, reinforcing a mutual commitment to advancing global innovation and entrepreneurship. It paves the way for impactful collaboration across four key areas:

• Research Collaboration – Joint sponsorship and promotion of cutting-edge R&D projects.
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation Initiatives – Co-creation of programmes to nurture startups and innovative ventures.
• Academic Mobility – Facilitating student and staff exchanges for cross-border learning.
• Thought Leadership – Engagement through entrepreneurship and startup-related webinars, talks and forums.
   

Through this strategic partnership, APU aims to accelerate innovation, strengthen academic–industry linkages and contribute to building a sustainable global startup ecosystem. 

APU joined an esteemed group of international signatories who formalised partnerships with YIT, including Mr Leandro Piazza, Founder and CEO of 49 Educação, Brazil; Dr Li Yi, Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching at Wisdom Lake Academy of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, China; Ms Jae Annie Tay, Director of SGInnovate, Singapore; and Mr Gergely Maróti of Eumedra Integrator Ltd., Hungary. 

Showcasing APU’s Industry 4.0 Vision

As part of the conference programme, Prof Vinesh delivered a compelling session on the Digital Economy Track, showcasing APU’s role in shaping the Industry 4.0 ecosystem. His presentation highlighted the University’s initiatives in artificial intelligence, FinTech, the Internet of Things, cybersecurity, cloud computing and digital transformation—positioning APU as a regional hub for technological innovation. 

The message was clear: APU is not merely responding to technological change; it is actively designing the future by aligning education, research and enterprise with real-world needs. 

When Student Ideas Take Centre Stage

Adding to the excitement was the selection of XiaoBao, a startup founded by Jayden Than Chi Ren, for a showcase at the conference. XiaoBao is an AI-powered parenting application designed to help parents better understand and respond to their baby’s needs. 

By analysing sound patterns alongside daily care data—such as sleep duration, feeding times and diaper changes—the app provides personalised insights into potential reasons for crying, whether hunger, tiredness or discomfort. Its mission is to reduce parental anxiety, enhance the quality of childcare and leverage advanced AI to support the parenting journey. 

XiaoBao’s presence on an international stage reflected APU’s commitment to nurturing impactful startups that address real-world challenges through innovation. It also demonstrated how student ideas, when incubated within the right ecosystem, can evolve into solutions with global relevance. 

Immersed in China’s Innovation Engine

Beyond the conference, APU’s delegation was selected to participate in the Global Innovators’ Zhejiang Tour 2025—an exclusive programme connecting international innovators with China’s dynamic entrepreneurial landscape. 

Co-hosted by the Zhejiang Provincial Government, Tsinghua University and Pinghu Economic-Technical Development Zone (PDEZ) Group, the tour included visits to cutting-edge facilities such as the Pinghu Tech & Incubator Park, Youth Talent Village and Jiaxing Science City. 

These immersive experiences offered first-hand insight into how China has cultivated a thriving technology ecosystem where policy, industry and academia converge to accelerate innovation at scale. 

For APU, the exposure opened new avenues for future collaboration in research, entrepreneurship and talent development—while reaffirming its role as a bridge between Malaysia and the world’s leading innovation centres. 

From Global Exposure to Local Impact

Concluding the trip, Prof Vinesh remarked, “By forging global partnerships and showcasing solutions like XiaoBao, we are not only advancing technology but also creating meaningful impact for society. APU is proud to be part of this international ecosystem that drives entrepreneurship, research and digital transformation for a better future.” 

He added that this vision is deeply embedded within APU’s own campus culture. Through the Entrepreneurship & Innovation unit, APU functions as an incubator for the nation’s next generation of tech-based entrepreneurs—providing mentorship, infrastructure, industry access and global exposure that transform ideas into viable ventures. 

“Our role is not merely to teach innovation,” he said. “We practise it alongside our students. By giving them the space to experiment, fail, refine and scale, we prepare them to become game changers—leaders who are ready to shape industries and create solutions that matter, not just for Malaysia, but for the world.” 

In Hangzhou, APU did not merely observe the future of technology. It stepped into it confidently, collaboratively, and with a clear purpose to lead.