An industry-academia engagement by APU’s School of Business brought logistics expertise directly into the classroom, enabling students to explore how sustainability, innovation and resilience are reshaping global supply chains while strengthening their professional and industry readiness.

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Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) continues to strengthen the connection between academic learning and industry practice by creating meaningful opportunities for students to engage directly with experienced professionals. 

In exploring current challenges and opportunities in building resilient, innovative and sustainable global supply chains, the School of Business (SoB) recently organised an industry-academia engagement event as an extended learning experience under the Managing International Supply Chain (MISC) module. 

Titled “Beyond Borders: Logistics Innovators’ Voices on Building Sustainable Global Supply Chains”, the event, which concluded on 8 July 2026, welcomed Mr Gunasegran Suppiah, Founder of Uniworld Logistics Malaysia, as Guest of Honour, alongside Mr Surendran Kumar Guna Segran, Director of Uniworld Logistics Malaysia, as Guest Speaker. 

The two seasoned industry professionals brought their wealth of experience to APU’s iconic campus, where Auditorium 2 was filled with students, academic staff and members of the university community eager to gain first-hand insights into the evolving logistics and supply chain landscape. 

Understanding the Forces Reshaping Global Supply Chains

Drawing from their industry experience, the speakers explored the increasingly complex role of supply chain management in supporting business sustainability and global competitiveness. 

A key focus was the growing importance of green logistics, with organisations increasingly seeking to reduce carbon emissions through more sustainable and environmentally responsible operations. The speakers also highlighted how digital technologies, automation and data-driven visibility are transforming supply chains by improving transparency, responsiveness and operational efficiency.

Cross-border collaboration was another significant theme. Students learned how strategic partnerships across international networks can strengthen supply chain resilience and help organisations navigate disruptions more effectively. 

The session also examined the importance of accurate demand forecasting and predictive analytics in reducing waste and preventing stockouts, alongside robust risk management strategies to address geopolitical uncertainty, transportation disruptions and the increasing volatility of global supply chains. 

Students Take Their Seats at the Industry Table

A distinctive feature of the programme was a Round Table Discussion themed “Building Sustainable Global Supply Chains: Collaboration, Innovation, and Resilience.” 

The discussion was moderated by Ms Nor Nazeranah Haji Omar Din, Programme Leader for BA (Hons) International Business Management (Supply Chain Management) and Module Lecturer for Managing International Supply Chain at SoB, who also organised the event. 

Adding a strong student voice to the conversation, four final-year students participated as panellists: Keevan Brayden Louis and Ishwinderjit Kaur Kiranjit Singh, both pursuing the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Business Management; Faiza Allifa Azellin from the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Business Management with a specialism in E-Business; and Mohammed Asim Jagirdar from the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in International Business Management. 

Engaging directly with the industry experts, the student panellists shared their perspectives on sustainability, innovation, risk management and future supply chain trends. The experience enabled them to apply theoretical concepts to real-world business challenges while developing critical thinking, leadership, communication and professional engagement skills. 

Preparing Students for an Industry-Driven Future

The programme attracted active participation from Bachelor’s and Master’s students enrolled in the Managing International Supply Chain and Green Supply Chain modules. Through the exchange, students were able to connect classroom concepts with industry realities and deepen their understanding of the collaboration, innovation and resilience required to manage sustainable supply chains. 

Professor Dr Kashif Hussain, Senior Head of the School of Business, said such engagements reflect APU’s commitment to ensuring that learning remains relevant to an ever-changing business environment.

“Industry engagement is an important extension of the learning journey at APU. By bringing experienced practitioners into direct dialogue with our students, we create opportunities for them to question, analyse and apply what they learn in the classroom to challenges faced by businesses today. 

“Beyond gaining knowledge of current industry practices, students develop the confidence, critical thinking and professional perspectives required to navigate an increasingly interconnected global economy. Through initiatives such as this, we aim to nurture future-ready graduates who understand that collaboration, innovation, sustainability and resilience are not merely concepts, but essential capabilities for building and leading the global supply chains of tomorrow,” he concluded.

The event concluded with a token-of-appreciation exchange between both organisations, officiated by Prof Dr Kashif Hussain and Mr Gunasegran Suppiah.