Design thinking, traditionally rooted in the workflows of designers, has evolved into a vital tool for innovation across all professions. As innovation becomes increasingly valued in our global landscape, the purpose of design thinking is to provide a standardised process for developing creative solutions to a wide range of challenges, whether design-related or not.

At the forefront of this movement within the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) is Professor Dr Murali Raman, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor. Known as APU's Design Thinking Guru, Prof Murali has a deep passion for training individuals across various disciplines. While his expertise lies in Design Thinking, he is also a distinguished trainer in areas such as Coloured Brain Communication & Emotional Drivers, the Digital Economy, Crafting Digital Strategies, and Mindset Change.

Recently, Prof Murali added another accolade to his impressive credentials, earning international recognition by receiving a Gold Medal for his work on Design Thinking and Digital Business Transformation at the 9th International Invention Innovation Competition in Canada (iCAN 2024). In addition to this prestigious award, he was also honoured with special recognition by the World Invention Intellectual Property Association (WIIPA).

The iCAN 2024, sponsored by WIIPA, the Innovation Initiative Co-operative Inc., and the International Federation of Inventors' Associations (IFIA), is Canada’s premier event for inventors. Organised by the Toronto International Society of Innovation and Advanced Skills (TISIAS), the competition has grown significantly since its inception in 2016. This year, iCAN 2024 was held entirely online on August 24.

For his submission, Prof Murali presented a model designed to aid organisations, particularly within the financial services sector, in their digital transformation journeys. This model employs a phased approach and incorporates the principles of Design Thinking as integral components of the transformation process.

“Design thinking is a mindset and approach to problem-solving and innovation that centres around human-centred design. Rather than focusing solely on the problem itself, design thinking emphasises finding solutions. It involves four key phases of innovation: clarify, ideate, develop, and implement,” Prof Murali explained, highlighting the essence of his work.

The APU community proudly congratulates Prof Murali on these remarkable achievements, which not only enhance the university's reputation in design thinking but also open new avenues for collaboration with industry. These accomplishments are poised to benefit society at large through short-term training programmes and workshops on design thinking.