Two distinguished faculty members and two student research teams from the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) were recognised for their outstanding achievements at the Einstein Research Academy (ERA) Asian Research Excellence Awards 2025 ceremony, held on 10 October 2025. The event celebrated research excellence across Asia, highlighting projects that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). 

Faculty Recognition for Groundbreaking Research

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Professor Dr Mohammad Falahat, Director of the Strategic Research Institute (SRI) at APU, was honoured in the Sustainable and Innovation in Business and Management category. His award underscores APU’s strength in developing forward-thinking and sustainable business solutions that address contemporary challenges faced by global industries. 

Meanwhile, Assistant Professor Ir EUR ING Ts Dr Lau Chee Yong, from APU’s School of Engineering (SoE), received recognition in the Engineering Innovation category. His accolade reflects the university’s continued excellence in technological research, focusing on innovative engineering solutions that enhance efficiency, sustainability, and real-world application. 

The award ceremony was held at INTI International University, where Professor Dr Wong Ling Shing, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation at INTI, presented the awards as the ERA Asian Chairman. 

Celebrating Regional Research Achievements

The ERA Asian Research Excellence Awards, organised by the Einstein Research Academy, an international research institution based in Puducherry, India, recognise outstanding contributions from researchers across Asia. The awards highlight achievements in science, technology, innovation, and education, rewarding efforts that advance the UNSDGs through creative and impactful research.

APU Student Teams Excel at ERA Inter-Varsity Innovation Competition 2025

Adding to the university’s accolades, APU’s student teams also triumphed at the ERA Inter-Varsity Innovation Competition 2025, which gathered participants from top institutions across the region. The competition assessed projects based on originality, technical merit, feasibility, and potential real-world impact. 

A team consisting of Lek Yong Bin, Loh Ying Chong, Wong Che Kai, and Kalyana Samadhi, representing APU’s engineering disciplines, won the Gold Award for their project titled “Smart Microgrid Ecosystem”. Their work showcased innovative approaches to sustainable energy management, addressing key challenges in power distribution and renewable energy integration. The project’s focus on developing resilient and efficient microgrids reflects a growing need for sustainable energy systems, particularly within developing economies in the Asia-Pacific region. 

Innovative Healthcare Technology Wins Silver

A Silver Award was also presented to another APU team led by Associate Professor Ir Dr Siva Kumar Sivanesan, Head of the School of Engineering, and Ir Ts Dr Denesh Sooriamoorthy, alongside students Muthmainna Nasywa Ashary, Chai Jien Joe, and Chung Zi Da. Their project, “Development of a Wearable AI-Driven System for Cardiovascular Risk Detection”, demonstrates the university’s commitment to applying artificial intelligence in healthcare. This wearable system enables early detection of cardiovascular risks, potentially transforming preventive healthcare and saving lives through timely intervention.

Driving Malaysia’s Innovation Agenda

As Malaysia continues to establish itself as a regional hub for innovation and technology, APU’s success at the ERA Asian Research Excellence Awards underscores the nation’s growing strength in research and development. The university remains committed to nurturing an ecosystem where innovation thrives—empowering faculty and students to push boundaries, explore new frontiers, and contribute meaningfully to global technological progress.