Ir Ts Dr Alexander Chee Hon Cheong, Assistant Professor at the School of Engineering (SoE) of Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), recently represented APU on two high-profile engagements in China, reflecting the university’s growing international recognition and strategic intent to position itself at the forefront of global educational collaboration.

His first visit, on 23 June 2025, was to Dongying Vocational Institute of Science and Technology, a major Chinese higher education institution. 

This diplomatic and academic exchange was warmly received by the host institution’s senior management, including its Deputy Party Secretary and Vice President. The dialogue focused on building robust pathways for international cooperation, particularly in the joint cultivation of high-quality technical talent aligned with regional and industrial development needs. 

Dr Alex highlighted APU’s commitment as one of Malaysia’s leading science and technology universities, particularly its alignment with the aspirations of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. 

Discussions centred on potential collaboration in areas such as exchange programmes, dual-degree pathways, academic mobility, and shared research. With mutual emphasis on innovation, the talks marked a promising step towards long-term strategic engagement.

Prior to the formal discussion, the APU team toured key academic and innovation facilities, including a Student Entrepreneurship Centre and Training Hub, providing insight into the host’s hands-on approach to education. 

Both parties underscored the importance of creating globally competent graduates and fostering academic excellence through cross-border cooperation. 

APU Engineering Expertise Amplified at International Education Exhibition

Continuing his engagements, Dr Alex then represented APU at the 2025 Jidong International Education Exhibition held on 27 June in Changchun, China. 

Organised by the Jilin Animation Institute (JAI) as part of its 25th anniversary and the “2025 Summer International π” series, the exhibition gathered academic representatives from 16 universities across Canada, the UK, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Italy and beyond. 

Delivering a keynote address on behalf of APU, Dr Alex emphasised the vital role of interdisciplinary learning in preparing future-ready graduates, especially in merging engineering, animation, design, and computing. He shared APU’s proactive initiatives in fostering global competencies, including collaborative projects that integrate technology with creative industries. 

The event—designed around themes of “diversification, openness, global linkage, and growth empowerment”—aimed to inspire young Chinese students to pursue international education. APU’s presence, among other prestigious global institutions, signified its rising prominence in shaping the future of transnational education. 

Dr Alex’s participation provided APU with a significant platform to showcase its educational philosophy, focus on applied learning, and commitment to nurturing international talent. 

Elevating APU’s Global Academic Profile

Through these back-to-back engagements, APU continues to strengthen its footprint in China—a key region for academic partnerships. The visits reinforced APU’s standing as a progressive university that actively engages in international dialogues and policy-aligned cooperation. 

Dr Alex’s engagements not only underscored the depth of APU’s engineering expertise but also its ability to contribute meaningfully to global education initiatives. By forging new ties with institutions and participating in global education showcases, APU is affirming its mission of “transforming lives through education” on an international scale. 

These initiatives reflect APU’s broader strategic goal: to cultivate graduates who are not only industry-ready but globally attuned—able to contribute, innovate and thrive in an interconnected world.