On 3 December 2025, a group of engineering students from the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) embarked on an immersive academic visit to the German-Malaysian Institute (GMI) in Taman Universiti, Kajang, Selangor.

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The visit formed part of APU’s continuous commitment to nurturing industry-ready graduates by extending learning beyond the classroom and exposing students to real-world engineering environments that shape modern professional practice. 

Approximately 30 undergraduates participated in the visit, accompanied by Senior Lecturers from APU’s School of Engineering (SoE), Ir Ts Subhashini Gopal Krishnan and Dr Mukil Alagirisamy. 

Carefully curated to complement the students’ academic pathway, the visit aimed to provide first-hand exposure to advanced manufacturing technologies and professional engineering standards practised within a globally recognised technical education institution. 

GMI: A Hub of German–Malaysian Engineering Excellence

Established through a joint initiative between the Governments of Malaysia and Germany, GMI stands as a benchmark institution for broad-based engineering education and advanced skills training, both theoretical and practical. 

Governed by a 10-member Board of Directors comprising representatives from both governments, alongside public and industrial stakeholders, GMI plays a strategic role in strengthening Malaysia’s skilled workforce. 

The institute offers a diverse portfolio of programmes and services, including full-time diploma programmes, pre-university studies, skills upgrading technical courses, train-the-trainers initiatives, as well as industrial consultancy and technical services. 

Its strong industry alignment and adherence to German engineering standards have positioned GMI as a gateway for students aspiring to pursue further education and professional opportunities in Europe, particularly within the engineering sector. 

From Concept to Creation: Engineering in Practice

Upon arrival, APU students were briefed on GMI’s history, mission and contributions to Malaysia’s industrial ecosystem. The visit continued with a tour of the Industrial Design Gallery, where final-year projects by GMI graduates were showcased. 

The exhibits featured innovative product concepts designed to address real-world challenges, reflecting a high level of technical competence, creativity and problem-solving ability. 

A key highlight of the visit was the Smart Factory ecosystem—an on-campus simulation of an industrial production system developed in collaboration with leading industry partners. 

Equipped with industrial-scale instruments and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), the facility demonstrated how automation, data exchange and intelligent control systems integrate to form efficient, autonomous production lines at the heart of the Industry 4.0 revolution. 

The exposure enabled APU students to visualise how theoretical knowledge translates into operational excellence within a manufacturing context. 

Learning by Doing: Bridging Theory and Industrial Application

The delegation also toured GMI’s distinctive hybrid classrooms, where lecture spaces are seamlessly integrated with heavy laboratory equipment. 

This innovative learning environment allows students to apply theoretical concepts immediately through hands-on interaction with industrial machinery—mirroring professional engineering workflows and reinforcing practical competence. 

The visit concluded at the Robotics and Automation Laboratory, where students observed industrial-grade robotic arms performing automated tasks. 

Designed to replicate real manufacturing environments, the facility underscored the importance of training with professional-grade equipment to meet industry expectations upon graduation. 

Student Reflections: Preparing for the Professional World

Reflecting on the experience, final-year Bachelor of Computer Engineering with Honours student Durkesh Ravi Shankar highlighted the value of witnessing classroom concepts come to life in an industrial setting. 

“The exposure to industrial-scale automation has been invaluable. Seeing the convergence of German engineering standards with Malaysian talent was truly inspiring. Overall, it was a preview of the professional world we are all about stepping into,” he shared. 

The visit left students with a deeper appreciation of the practical applications of their studies, reinforcing their readiness to transition from academia into the engineering profession. 

Nurturing Engineers Through Strategic Exposure

Acknowledging the significance of the visit, Head of the School of Engineering at APU, Associate Professor Ir Dr Siva Kumar Sivanesan, emphasised the value of such cross-institutional exposure. 

“GMI stands as a respected peer education provider that offers complementary strengths to an engineering degree at APU. Through strategic exposure beyond our campus, our students gain broader perspectives, deeper industry awareness and greater confidence as they prepare to chart their professional pathways. These experiences are vital in shaping engineers who are not only technically competent, but also globally aware and industry ready,” said Dr Siva. 

Through initiatives such as this visit, APU continues to demonstrate its commitment to holistic engineering education—one that empowers students with knowledge, exposure and perspective as they build meaningful and impactful engineering careers.