APU Software Engineering Student Innovates for Social Empowerment
 

A new generation of leaders is emerging. They are individuals who combine emotional intelligence, awareness of community needs, and a profound understanding of cultural contexts with the sharp edge of technology. At the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), these are the leaders the institution is committed to nurturing.

One such promising leader is Viman Vinesh, a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Software Engineering student whose journey reflects the university’s goal of shaping graduates who are not only highly skilled but also humane, versatile, and purpose-driven. 

Turning Social Responsibility into Real-World Action

Inspired by the ethos of future-ready technologies must apply their expertise beyond the classroom, Viman take on the 12-week Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) programme, organised by McKinsey & Company in cooperation with Teach For Malaysia. YLA equips Malaysian undergraduates with entrepreneurial tools to address real social challenges. 

By teaming up with his peers beyond campus, Howie Sim, Amyla Atiqah Zainal Abidin, Yeo Jia Yuan, and Adz Arieff, Viman joined efforts in building Reweave, a social enterprise that weaves culture, social impact, and sustainability into fashionable lifestyle bags made by single mothers.

Over three months of intensive innovation, Viman and his teammates conceptualised, built, and launched this initiative. Their effort paid off—Team Reweave claimed First Prize at the programme’s Startup Incubation Finals, along with a highly celebrated trophy and RM50,000 in seed sponsorship supported by Standard Chartered Bank.

Reweave: Culture, Community and Innovation

With a vision to redefine social entrepreneurship in Malaysia, Reweave produces handcrafted batik pickleball tote bags created by single mothers from B40 households. Every piece preserves Malaysian heritage while enabling sustainable income generation for women who deserve stronger livelihood opportunities.

What sets Reweave apart is not only the product but the seamless integration of technology and tradition. Viman played a pivotal role in steering the project’s technical innovation, showcasing the breadth of talent APU cultivates within its students.

Tech-Driven Craftsmanship for a Digital Era

Viman led the engineering of Reweave’s AI-powered virtual try-on feature. Built using Google’s Gemini 2.5 Flash Image API, the system allows customers to upload a photo and instantly visualise themselves wearing various handcrafted designs.

To enhance the user experience further, he co-created Reweave’s AI chatbot powered by Shieldbase AI. The assistant responds instantly to product queries, shares the artisans’ stories, and communicates the brand’s social mission, creating both accessibility and emotional connection.

This dual innovation ensures that Reweave’s products remain personal and meaningful while being introduced to a global, digital marketplace. It also represents the core of APU’s teaching: technology must advance humanity.

Leadership Beyond the Code

The making of Reweave was not merely a technical feat. Viman embraced a leadership role across the full business lifecycle: sourcing materials, coordinating with artisans, launching the website, managing e-commerce, and navigating challenging timelines.

His resilience and adaptability embody the qualities APU instils in every student. The university’s focus on problem-based learning and strong industry linkages ensures that its graduates can turn skills into impact, working across disciplines and cultures.

A Testament to APU’s Holistic Education

Reweave stands today as more than a startup. It is a bold example of youth-driven innovation powered by compassion. It demonstrates how APU’s School of Computing equips students with relevant industry tools, from cloud computing to AI frameworks, while developing ethical leadership and entrepreneurial capabilities.

Reweave continues to grow with expanding product lines and community-driven initiatives, including a future Pickleball Charity Tournament aimed at raising visibility and support for single mothers nationwide. Each milestone echoes APU’s dedication to producing digital-driven changemakers capable of improving lives through thoughtful innovation.

Viman’s story affirms APU’s standing as Malaysia’s leading technology institution, committed to shaping graduates who recognise that intelligence goes hand-in-hand with empathy.

Guided by Technology, Grounded in Heart

A strong university creates strong leaders. Through students like Viman Vinesh, APU continues to demonstrate what it means to educate the next generation: young innovators who code with purpose and lead with care.

Associate Professor Ts Dr Tan Chin Ike, Head of the School of Computing at APU, expressed immense pride in the team’s achievement.

“Sometimes you see a student's work and it just hits you. This is exactly why we do what we do. What I love about Viman’s story is how it captures the spirit of what we try to nurture here at APU; using technology not just to solve problems, but to create real human impact. Reweave is not just an AI-powered platform; it is a reminder that innovation means nothing if it does not make someone’s life better. That is the kind of mindset we want our students to carry, one that is tech-driven, creative, and grounded in empathy.”

Viman’s success is more than a competition win. It represents the very DNA of APU. When innovation is thoughtful and leadership is compassionate, technology becomes a powerful force for good, weaving together the future that Malaysia deserves.