academic partnership

We are pleased to share that ISACA (world’s leading association for Information Security, famous for their framework called COBIT) has approved our application for forming an APU-ISACA Student Group. APU-ISACA Student Group is now officially recognized by ISACA International Headquarters. It is the first officially recognized ISACA Student Group in Malaysia. 

ISACA Student Groups (ISGs) encourage education beyond the classroom by allowing students to network and learn from each other, and connect with a supportive group of professionals. Upon the establishment of this group, APU is accessible to ISACA’s material, tools as well as a range of other benefits.

Prior to that, as part of the key requirements of forming the group, ISACA has also recognised two of our academic staff (Muhammad Ehsan Rana, Head of School of  Computing and Meisam Eslahi, Lecturer of Security and Digital Forensics) as Academic Advocates of APU. 

About ISACA 
ISACA is an independent, non-profit, global association. ISACA engages in the development, adoption and use of globally accepted, industry-leading knowledge and practices for information systems. Previously known as the Information Systems Audit and Control Association, ISACA now goes by its acronym only, to reflect the broad range of IT governance professionals it serves. The COBIT framework and the CISA, CISM, CGEIT and CRISC certifications are well known ISACA brands.

In collaboration with SuperCharger, Asia’s leading financial technology (“FinTech”) accelerator, we are now the first university in Malaysia to offer undergraduate programmes related to FinTech, to address the needs for talent development in this emerging industry. The launch of the programme was officiated through the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Datuk Parmjit Singh, CEO of APIIT Education Group and Johnny Mayo, Asia General Manager, SuperCharger FinTech Accelerator on 29 November 2018.

Prior to the launch, SuperCharger conducted the “Train the Trainer” programme at APU, to equip the APU academic team with foundational knowledge in FinTech and to prepare them for effective programme and subject delivery.

The Bachelor in Banking and Finance with a specialism in Financial Technology is a 3 years degree programme that aims to deliver technical knowledge and skills in handling digital banking and finance products and services. Specialised modules delivered through the programme include introduction on essentials of FinTech, Enabling FinTech, Digital Currencies and Blockchain Technologies, Crowdfunding and Alternative Lending, FinTech Governance, Risk Management & Compliance with the ability for the students to become entrepreneurs in FinTech.

Under the collaboration between SuperCharger and APU, the APU SuperCharger FinTech Academy will also be established at APU, to facilitate the research and development in FinTech-related areas. SuperCharger will offer their assistance to students in realizing their FinTech startup ideas, encouraging them to be FinTech entrepreneurs in the future. It is also anticipated that SuperCharger will continue to facilitate guest lectures at APU to expose students and staff towards this emerging industry.

Prior to this collaboration, SuperCharger facilitated a guest lecture at APU by Huy Nguyen Trieu (Co-Founder of the Centre of Finance, Technology and Entrepreneurship (CFTE) and CEO of the Disruptive Group) in May 2018, to educate students the importance of FinTech and to provide further understanding of FinTech applications.

We are proud to be chosen by SuperCharger to become the first university in Malaysia to launch this programme. Together with SuperCharger, we aim to address the talent gaps in the industry and we look forward to seeing our graduates of this programme contribute significantly to the FinTech industry.

The Bachelor in Banking and Finance with a specialism in Financial Technology is expected to commence in February 2019. Graduates in this programme are in high demand, in which they may pursue careers as Financial Analysts, Financial Engineers, Quantitative Analysts, Financial Technologists, Compliance Expert, Strategy Analysts and more.

Earlier this month, we signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with CASUGOL, a Singapore based international certification body, to officially kick-start an inspiring partnership to provide academicians, educators, researchers, and students with the opportunity to receive professional training and get certified in emerging technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), Machine Learning, Big Data and Cloud Computing.

Based in Singapore, CASUGOL is an international certification body offering a wide range of professional training and certification programs designed for all industries and verticals. Courses designed by CASUGOL are constantly reviewed by educators who are industry experts in their chosen field to ensure that they remain current, relevant and consistently high quality.

As part of this partnership agreement, CASUGOL will serve as a principal and body of knowledge to transfer knowledge and technical know-how on Industry 4.0 related technologies to lecturers, researchers and students at APU and jointly organise courses, workshops, events with APU to encourage and promote the learning and adoption of industry 4.0 related technologies. This agreement also authorizes APU to incorporate and deliver CASUGOL Official Courseware within its academic curriculum.

This partnership is in line with the Malaysian Government’s drive to adopt Industry 4.0 which generally incorporates advanced sensors, machine-to-machine communication links, 3-D printing, robotics, artificial intelligence, big data analytics and cloud computing technology.

“Technological innovation is indeed important to economic growth and the enhancement of human possibilities.” – Leon Kass

In accordance to APU & IBM Malaysia’s efforts to develop, facilitate and promote the Internet of Things (IoT) education, a Centre of Excellence (CoE) has been established at APU. This first of its kind IoT Centre of Excellence in Malaysia will further extend the power of cognitive computing to the billions of connected devices, sensors and systems that comprise the IoT.

Under this establishment, APU will develop, facilitate and promote the IoT education through cloud-based IoT infrastructure used by students, researchers and our faculty members. Concurrently, IBM will also provide relevant IoT resources, training and assistance in building the workforce in APU and equipping APU with current expertise in line with the latest industry requirements, as well as prepare students to meet future industry requirements.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is predicted to have an economic impact of more than $11 trillion by 2025.  IBM, a global innovation leader in Internet of Things, is working to accelerate the development of cognitive IoT solutions and services in order to help clients an d partners make sense of the growing volume and variety of data in a physical world that is rapidly becoming digitized.

The establishment of this CoE will assist APU to create a multidisciplinary learning and research environment in the field of IoT and related disciplines, including Advanced Analytics, Cloud Computing, Mobile Development and Embedded Systems. The establishment of this partnership also brings us forward in learning and delivering the latest technological skills to our students. We look forward to see amazing outcomes of this partnership in the future.