Students from Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation’s (APU) Certificate in Information & Communication Technology (CICT) programme cracked codes and chased clues in a gamified classroom activity titled “Operation Jewel Heist: The SDLC Chase,” an innovative exercise under the System Analysis and Design (SYAD) module that demonstrated how learning ICT can be fun, hands-on, and collaborative; preparing both Malaysian and international students for future success in the tech world.

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On 24th September 2025, students from the Certificate in Information & Communication Technology (CICT) programme at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) transformed their classroom into a crime scene investigation with the interactive game ‘Operation Jewel Heist: The SDLC Chase (Decode. Discover. Deliver Justice).’

The game, organised by Associate Professor Ts Dr Vinothini Kasinathan, Justin Gilbert Alexius Silvester and Thavamalini Sivasamy from the School of Computing (SoC) was part of the System Analysis and Design (SYAD) module. 

A total of 11 students — both Malaysian and international — took on the role of ‘APU Investigators’ to solve ‘The Missing Crown’ at the state-of-the-art APU campus, in Kuala Lumpur.

Armed with clues hidden in QR codes, students decoded binary numbers and translated them into ASCII characters to uncover the thief’s identity. 

The activity combined problem-solving, logic, and collaboration; core skills that align with the fundamentals of ICT.

The Certificate in Information & Communication Technology (CICT) at APU is a 17-month programme designed for students seeking a strong foundation in ICT before progressing into diploma or degree studies.

Students are exposed to core computing modules such as databases, networking, web design, programming and etc, alongside general study skills to prepare them for future academic and professional pathways. 

The programme also includes an 8-week internship, giving students real-world exposure early in their journey.

The CICT acts as a bridge to a wide range of diploma programmes in ICT fields such as Software Engineering, Data Informatics, Interactive Technology, and Business Information Technology.

APU’s Operation Jewel Heist makes learning fun and engaging

Activities like Operation Jewel Heist reflect APU’s commitment to innovative and student-centered learning. By embedding gamification into modules such as SYAD, students not only gain academic knowledge but also develop teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking in a fun, engaging way.

“My goal was to motivate the class to learn differently; by decoding, discovering, and delivering justice in a fun way. And they did exactly that and I always saw a difference with them after the competition, they came to class more,” explained Associate Professor Ts Dr Vinothini.

The diversity of the participants — Malaysian and international students working side by side — highlights APU’s multicultural learning environment, where students learn, play, and grow together with peers from over 130 countries.

The first prize winner is Tan Jia Xin and Wong Nicolous Wei Bork from Malaysia. Both never thought learning could be this fun. 

“At first, we felt shy because being in a certificate course sometimes makes us feel less confident. But this competition gave us pride and excitement. Solving the clues, working as a team, and even bringing back a trophy to show to our parents made us feel really special.”

Second place goes to Tan Bilson and Ren Tsukakoshi from Japan. 

“For us, this was more than a game. It was a chance to prove that certificate students can also shine. We enjoyed every moment of decoding the clues, and it motivated us to work harder in class.”

The third place goes to Zhao Xin Nan from China and Mohamed Marwan Ibrahim Zaroug from Sudan.

“Coming from another country, we sometimes felt nervous about fitting in. But during Operation Jewel Heist, everyone was equal. We laughed, solved puzzles together, and celebrated as one team. It really made us feel at home at APU.”