APU Students Dive into the Future of 5G at My5G Portal

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In an era where digital connectivity defines the trail of innovation, Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) continues to empower its students with enriching, real-world experiences. 

On 14 April 2025, a group of 30 technology students embarked on an illuminating field trip to the My5G Portal—Malaysia’s state-of-the-art 5G experience centre and innovation lab—situated in the prestigious TRX Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur. 

The field trip, thoughtfully organised to complement APU’s commitment to industry-aligned learning, offered students first-hand exposure to the cutting-edge capabilities of 5G technology. 

This initiative reflects APU’s proactive approach to embedding technological advancements within the student learning journey, ensuring that graduates are not only future-ready but also future-driven. 

Immersing in Malaysia’s Digital Future at My5G Portal

The My5G Portal, operated by Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB)—Malaysia’s lead agency in deploying the national 5G infrastructure—serves as both an innovation lab and an experiential learning centre. 

As the students entered the sleek, digitally immersive environment of the Portal, they were greeted by a showcase of over 50 real-life 5G use cases. These ranged across 12 vital industry verticals, including healthcare, smart cities, manufacturing automation, mobility, retail, and public safety.

The visit commenced with an introduction to the MY5G Ericsson Malaysia Pioneers Programme, an initiative co-developed by Ericsson and DNB. This innovative educational platform is designed to bridge the nation’s digital skills gap by providing foundational knowledge in transformative technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and virtual and augmented reality (VR & AR). 

Unlocking Equitable Access to Emerging Tech Skills

The Pioneers Programme is a beacon of inclusive digital education. It empowers learners from diverse academic backgrounds to grasp the core concepts driving the digital revolution. Most notably, the programme offers free certification, democratising access to vital knowledge and enhancing the employability of future graduates across the nation. 

This hands-on experience was further enriched by insightful guidance from esteemed academic leaders. Accompanying the students were Ms Salasiah Sulaiman, Senior Lecturer, School of Computing; Mr David Tan, Senior Lecturer, School of Technology; Ts Dr Sathish Kumar Selva Perumal, Associate Professor, School of Engineering; and Prof Ir EUR ING Dr Vinesh Thiruchelvam, APU’s Chief Innovation & Enterprise Officer (CIEO). 

Strengthening Academic-Industry Collaboration for a 5G-Powered Future

Reflecting on the impact of the visit, Prof Vinesh remarked, “This visit allowed us to strengthen our collaboration with Digital Nasional Berhad, Ericsson, and the Ministry of Higher Education in developing graduates' skills for the 5G era.” 

APU has played a pivotal role in this initiative, having been selected as the pilot university for the Ericsson-DNB 5G Digital Training Programme on 25 August 2022. Since then, APU has continued to lead the way, recording the highest number of student participants and certification completions among all universities in Malaysia, as reported by DNB on 26 October 2023. 

He further added, “This visit also reinforces APU’s aspirations to establish 5G research on campus, alongside the development of 5G applications. To date, we have a 5G-enabled application titled ‘VR Roller Coaster – Kingda Ka Virtual Experience’ showcased at MRANTI’s 5G Experience Centre (5GXC) since 12 June 2023. Additionally, another VR-based Agro Project has been permanently exhibited at CelcomDigi’s AI Experience Centre since 9 July 2024.” 

This statement highlights APU’s forward-thinking vision to become a hub of technological research and innovation, particularly in the rapidly evolving realm of 5G. As Malaysia continues to forge its place in the global digital economy, APU remains firmly committed to nurturing industry-aligned talent and contributing meaningfully to the nation’s digital transformation. 

Shaping the Leaders of Tomorrow

The My5G Portal visit served not only as a catalyst for academic enrichment but also as a beacon of inspiration for the next generation of tech innovators. By immersing in real-world 5G applications and exploring digital solutions across various sectors, APU students gained invaluable insights that will shape their careers and contributions to society. 

In conclusion, the trip exemplified the power of collaborative partnerships in higher education. Through initiatives such as these, APU continues to ensure its graduates are not only equipped with academic knowledge but also enriched with the foresight and experience necessary to lead in a technology-driven world.