APU Academic Illuminates Path Forward at MBOT Special Webinar

Dr Arumugam G Sithamparam, Senior Lecturer at the School of Marketing & Management (SoMM), Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), made a notable appearance at the Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT) Special Webinar Session held on 11 June 2025. 

A distinguished academic and Referral Expert for the Select Committee on Finance and Economy (JKPKKE), Parliament Malaysia, Dr Aru was invited to share his professional views on one of today’s most pressing global issues.

The session, titled “The US-China Uncertainties in Tech Development”, addressed complex international trade dynamics and their far-reaching impact on the technological landscape. This timely discussion attracted a broad audience of technologists, engineers, and policy influencers from across Malaysia.

A Platform for Expert Insight

“This was my first time being invited by MBOT to speak at their special webinar,” shared Dr Aru. “I was honoured to be part of a panel alongside two other distinguished speakers.”

Joining Dr Aru on the panel were Gs. Azmi Hassan, Senior Fellow of the Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research (NASR), and Ts Harshielawati Hanim Muhamad Johar, Innovation Space Specialist at Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd. 

Together, they brought diverse perspectives to the table, analysing the implications of geopolitical tensions on Malaysia’s technology agenda.

Dr Aru’s invitation to the webinar stemmed from his extensive expertise in international trade and geopolitics, as well as his current role advising Malaysia’s parliamentary committee on economic and financial affairs.

MBOT: Advancing Malaysia’s Technological Capacity

MBOT is Malaysia’s professional body dedicated to recognising and supporting technologists and technicians in various technology and technical domains. Since 2020, MBOT has conducted a series of webinars across 24 technology areas to promote knowledge sharing among its members. 

This year, MBOT has aimed to elevate its sessions with more thought-provoking and policy-relevant topics.

The June webinar was no exception, drawing members of MBOT who play a pivotal role in national development—particularly in alignment with key policy frameworks such as the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (2021–2025), MyDIGITAL, and the New Industrial Master Plan 2030.

A Geopolitical Lens on Technology

In his presentation, Dr Aru dissected the multifaceted nature of the US-China rivalry and the growing bifurcation of the global tech ecosystem. He explained how nations, including Malaysia, are increasingly being caught between US-led and China-led technology blocs—especially in strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), 5G, semiconductors, and cloud infrastructure.

Dr Aru highlighted that understanding and navigating these global uncertainties is vital for building Malaysia’s economic resilience and sustaining its momentum in technological advancement.

“The purpose of this webinar was to provide insights into the ongoing US-China rivalry and its implications for Malaysia’s technological development. It aimed to inform and engage the local tech community on how these global tensions impact our national tech agenda,” he explained.

Malaysia’s Response and Opportunities

Dr Aru urged Malaysian policymakers and industry stakeholders to view the geopolitical divide not merely as a challenge but also as an opportunity. He discussed Malaysia’s comparative advantages—particularly its reputation as a global hub for semiconductor assembly, testing, and packaging, which accounts for about 13% of the world’s back-end semiconductor capacity.

“Malaysia must now explore ways to move further up the value chain—towards chip design and advanced fabrication. This requires significant investment in talent capital and innovation ecosystems,” he stressed.

Talent Development as a Strategic Imperative

Central to Dr Aru’s argument was the emphasis on developing Malaysia’s human capital. He underlined the importance of cultivating high-level skills and industry-aligned education to support Malaysia’s aspirations in emerging tech sectors.

In this regard, APU plays a critical role. “The participation of Dr Aru as a seasoned academic and a Referral Expert in Parliament truly reflects APU’s commitment to national talent development,” stated Associate Professor Dr Devinder Kaur, Head of SoMM. 

“By bridging academic knowledge with real-world policymaking, APU contributes meaningfully to shaping Malaysia’s future in technology and innovation,” she continued. 

Forging Ahead with Purpose 

The MBOT special webinar successfully brought critical geopolitical discussions to the forefront of Malaysia’s technology development discourse. 

Dr Aru’s contributions demonstrated the value of academic engagement in national strategy conversations and reinforced the role of institutions like APU in shaping informed, resilient, and globally aware technologists. 

As Malaysia advances toward its industrial and digital goals, dialogues such as this will continue to serve as catalysts for insight, collaboration, and purposeful action.