From July 24th to 28th, 2023, I had the distinct honor of serving as the Project Coordinator Team Leader for the SIMATS Student Mobility Programme, hosted by the Integrated Sustainability & Urban Creativity Centre (ISUC) at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU). This five-day initiative welcomed 12 students from the Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, India, to our vibrant campus in MRANTI Park, Bukit Jalil.

The programme, a collaborative effort between ISUC, the School of Engineering (SoE), and the School of Business (SoB), was meticulously designed to provide an immersive learning experience at the intersection of technology and sustainability. Over the course of 13 academic sessions, participants delved into topics such as Fuzzy Logic, Ergonomics, Robotics and Arduino Programming, IoT applications, and Design Thinking. Each session was facilitated by esteemed APU lecturers and guest speakers, fostering an environment of interactive discussions and hands-on activities.
One of the highlights was the session on "IoT Smart Cities: Opportunities and Challenges," where students explored the practical applications and implications of IoT technology in urban settings. Another memorable session was "Creative Business Ideas," which encouraged participants to integrate Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into innovative business models.
As the Project Coordinator, I (Khoo Lay Yang) was privileged to lead a dedicated team, including Deputy Leader Sai Htoo Myat Niang, in orchestrating this enriching programme. Our collective efforts ensured a seamless experience for our guests, from academic sessions to cultural exchanges. The programme culminated in project presentations, where participants showcased their insights and received valuable feedback from our panel of judges.
Reflecting on this experience, I am immensely proud of the collaborative spirit and mutual learning that defined the programme. It was a testament to the power of international academic partnerships in fostering global perspectives on sustainability and innovation.
The Handbook/Schedule of the SIMATS Student Mobility Programme: