- Win highlights APU’s commitment to preparing graduates for a rapidly evolving workforce
- Recognition highlights the nation’s reliance on institutions preparing graduates for future challenges
The Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) has been named the inaugural winner of the newly introduced “Future-Ready University” award at the prestigious Life at Work (LAWA) 2025, marking a national milestone and cementing its position as a leader in shaping employable, adaptable, and industry-ready graduates.
This newly introduced category honours higher education institutions that play a pivotal role as changemakers in the talent development ecosystem, the university noted in a statement. APU’s win underscores its long-standing commitment to nurturing graduates equipped for a fast-evolving global workforce.
The awards ceremony, held at the Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur on 30 October 2025, brought together prominent figures from business, academia, multinational corporations and government agencies.
The awards ceremony, held at the Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur on 30 October 2025, brought together prominent figures from business, academia, multinational corporations, and government agencies. APU’s chief operating officer, Gurpardeep Singh, and senior manager of Special Projects, Vijay Reddy, accepted the honour on behalf of the university. The award was presented by Steven Sim Chee Keong, minister of Human Resources, in front of an audience gathered to celebrate excellence in talent leadership.
This year marks the tenth anniversary of LAWA, a platform that has become the benchmark for progressive talent practices in Malaysia. Curated by Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp), the programme aligns with the Malaysian Ministry of Human Resources’ mission to drive national talent strategy and position Malaysia as a dynamic global talent hub.
A decade of recognising visionary employers
Since 2013, LAWA has recognised organisations that go beyond traditional workplace expectations. The awards honour employers committed to: championing inclusivity, promoting sustainability, prioritising employee wellbeing, and fostering innovation that transforms industries and communities.
In introducing the Future-Ready University category, TalentCorp acknowledges the evolving role of universities as collaborators and accelerators in the nation’s talent pipeline.
A rigorous evaluation process
Winning the award required more than prestige—it demanded clear, demonstrable results. A stringent evaluation process was carried out by a panel of industry leaders and government officials, beginning with a detailed submission of APU’s evidence-based strategies, such as industry-led internships and project-based learning, along with measurable outcomes like employability and industry readiness. From there, three private universities were shortlisted for a ten-minute pitching session, after which APU emerged as the winner.
“During the process, we had to demonstrate our strategy to prepare future-ready students—improving outcomes such as employability, adaptability, and industry readiness. We also presented how our programmes and industry partnerships align with evolving market trends, ensuring our students remain relevant in the workforce of tomorrow,” Vijay explained.
A vision rooted in three decades of educational excellence
APU’s win reflects a vision that began over 32 years ago with the establishment of the Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology (APIIT). Since then, the institution has continuously evolved, staying ahead of industry shifts while maintaining an educational ethos focused on preparing graduates for future challenges.
“Winning the ‘Future-Ready University’ award affirms our vision—to transform students into competent, highly employable, and future-proof professionals,” Vijay said, adding that the recognition validates APU’s approach of integrating technology, innovation, industry engagement, and a strong student-centred learning experience.
Strengthening stakeholder confidence
APU’s leadership believes the award reinforces the university’s trusted reputation among students, employers, industry partners, regulators, and accreditation bodies.
“For us, this award solidifies our credibility with stakeholders—students, employers, industry partners, regulators and accreditation bodies. It affirms APU’s positioning as an institution where future-proofing matters, where industry alignment matters, and where student experience is central,” Gurpardeep Singh said.
A future built on industry alignment and talent empowerment
APU’s recognition as Malaysia’s first Future-Ready University signals the nation’s growing reliance on institutions capable of equipping graduates for tomorrow’s challenges. The win celebrates past achievements while setting a benchmark for future innovation in talent development.
“As Malaysia deepens its commitment to nurturing a world-class workforce under national talent initiatives, APU stands firmly at the forefront—proving that preparing students for the future is not merely an aspiration but a measurable and impactful reality,” Gurpardeep added.
