APU’s School of Marketing & Management (SoMM) organised an educational visit to Canon Opto (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., where students gained first-hand insights into precision manufacturing innovation and sustainability through guided tours and industry engagement.

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Experiential learning continued to play a vital role in preparing students for the realities of today’s business and industrial landscape. 

Reinforcing its commitment to producing industry-ready graduates, the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation’s (APU) School of Marketing & Management (SoMM), led by Ms Harjinder Kaur, Senior Lecturer and Industry Advisory Panel (IAP) Coordinator, organised an educational industry visit to Canon Opto (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. on 15 May 2026.

The visit provided students with an invaluable opportunity to experience how one of the world’s leading optical technology manufacturers combined precision engineering, technological innovation, quality management and environmental sustainability to maintain its position as a global industry leader. 

It also enabled students to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world business practices through direct engagement with industry professionals.

The programme began with a warm welcome from the Canon Opto team, followed by a company introduction and safety briefing. 

Students were introduced to Canon’s global operations, corporate culture and technological capabilities while gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of workplace safety, compliance and professionalism within a modern manufacturing environment.

A key highlight of the visit was the guided tour of the Lens Production Facility, where students witnessed the sophisticated manufacturing processes behind Canon’s precision optical lenses.

Led by Mr Lokman Hakimi, Mechanical Engineer, the tour took students through every stage of production, from raw materials to final inspection and quality assurance.

Students actively engaged with Canon’s engineers throughout the session, asking insightful questions about automation, production efficiency, quality control and manufacturing technologies. 

The learning experience was further enhanced when Mr Norsyafiq Ashraf demonstrated how raw optical glass elements were securely assembled before undergoing precision grinding, polishing and coating. 

The demonstration highlighted the remarkable level of accuracy required to produce world-class optical components and reinforced the importance of process optimisation and continuous quality improvement.

The visit continued at the Lens Gallery, where Ms Nur Sabrina Manjeet Abdullah, Assistant Manager of Innovation Promotion, shared Canon’s journey of innovation and technological advancement. 

Students explored the company’s history, major milestones and commitment to research and development, gaining valuable insight into how continuous innovation had shaped Canon’s global success.

The gallery also featured striking photographs captured using Canon’s advanced optical systems, allowing students to appreciate the practical impact of precision engineering while reinforcing the importance of innovation and customer-focused product development in sustaining a competitive advantage.

Beyond manufacturing excellence, students also discovered Canon Opto’s strong commitment to environmental sustainability through visits to the Waste Minimisation Centre (WMC) and Water Treatment Plant (WTP).

At the WMC, Mr Al Rashid Wahab, Manager of Environment Facilities Services, introduced the company’s waste management strategies, recycling initiatives and resource conservation efforts, demonstrating how responsible environmental practices supported both operational efficiency and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) objectives.

The sustainability journey continued at the Water Treatment Plant, where Mr Muhammad Salihin Mohd. Hidzir and Mr Muhammad Suhail, Engineers from Environment Facilities Services, explained the company’s wastewater treatment processes and environmental compliance measures. 

Students learned how wastewater generated during production underwent rigorous treatment before being safely discharged, reinforcing the importance of environmental stewardship and responsible resource management in modern manufacturing.

Throughout the visit, students remained actively engaged, participating in discussions and question-and-answer sessions with Canon's engineers and management team.

The experience enabled them to connect theoretical concepts with practical industry applications while gaining a deeper appreciation of the skills, professionalism and adaptability required in today’s workplace.

Reflecting on the visit, Ms Harjinder Kaur highlighted the importance of industry engagement in enhancing student learning.

“Industry engagement is one of the most effective ways to transform learning beyond the classroom. Our students witnessed first-hand how innovation, precision engineering, quality management and sustainability were seamlessly integrated within a world-class organisation.

“Visits such as these not only strengthen students’ academic understanding but also encourage critical thinking, lifelong learning and professional growth. We sincerely appreciate Canon Opto’s commitment to nurturing future talent through meaningful industry-academia collaboration.”

Timothy Hendrawan Banawi, a Digital Marketing student, described the experience as eye-opening.

“The visit gave me a completely different perspective on how technology, precision engineering and quality control work together in a manufacturing environment. It was fascinating to witness the level of precision involved in producing high-quality optical lenses and Canon’s commitment to innovation and excellence.” 

Aieyan Masood was particularly inspired by Canon’s sustainability initiatives.

“Visiting the Waste Minimisation Centre and Water Treatment Plant showed me how businesses can successfully integrate environmental responsibility into their daily operations while maintaining operational excellence.”

Ahmed Abrar Fahad Khan, an E-Business student, said the visit helped him connect classroom learning with real business practices, while Business Analytics student Victoria Liew Yung Weei appreciated Canon’s systematic approach to quality management and data-driven decision-making. 

International Business Management student Isoev Mirzohamzullo also valued the opportunity to observe how innovation, sustainability and operational excellence worked together within a global organisation.

The SoMM extended its heartfelt appreciation to Canon Opto (M) Sdn. Bhd. for its warm hospitality, professional guidance and willingness to share its expertise with APU students. 

Special thanks were also extended to Ms Rohayu Sahit, Ms Maisarah Mohtar, Mr Al Rashid Bin Wahab, Ms Khairun Farina Binti Khalid, Mr Muhammad Salihin Mohd. Hidzir, Mr Muhammad Suhail, Ms Nur Sabrina Manjeet Abdullah, Mr Mohd. Hamka Ramli, Mr Lokman Hakimi and Mr Norsyafiq Ashraf for making the visit both educational and inspiring.

More than an educational tour, the visit offered students an invaluable opportunity to witness the intersection of innovation, precision engineering and sustainability within a globally recognised organisation. 

By experiencing real-world manufacturing processes and environmental initiatives first-hand, students gained practical knowledge and professional insights that extended well beyond the classroom, further reinforcing the value of industry-academia collaboration in preparing future-ready graduates.