On August 15, 2024, the Asia Pacific Language Centre (APLC) of the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) and the APIIT Education Group celebrated a monumental achievement as it was named Malaysia's Best Language Centre (English Language) at the Malaysia Education & TVET Awards 2024. This accolade, awarded for the first time to APLC, underscores the centre's excellence in delivering robust English academic services.

Mr Gurpardeep Singh, Chief Operating Officer of APU, proudly accepted the award on stage from YB Datuk Ts Mustapha Sakmud, Deputy Minister of Higher Education Malaysia, during the prestigious ceremony. Reflecting on this milestone, Mr Gurpardeep Singh remarked, "This award is a significant validation of the hard work and dedication that APLC has put into ensuring top-quality English education. It inspires us to continue pushing boundaries and setting new standards in language education."

Organised by “Education + TVET Asia” Publications, the third edition of the Malaysia Education & TVET Awards saw over 250 nominations from diverse educational institutions, including universities, colleges, schools, training centres, and language centres. From these, a panel of esteemed judges, comprising education and media professionals, selected 60 winners, recognising their outstanding leadership and achievements in the education industry.

The event was attended by some 350 professionals comprising owners of universities and colleges, management team members, entrepreneurs and stakeholders of the industry.

APLC, which originated as the English Language Centre (ELC) in 2008, has evolved into one of the few 5-star Language Centres recognised by the Ministry of Education (MOE) in Kuala Lumpur. Led by Senior Manager Ms Sharen Kaur, APLC boasts a strong 16-year history of providing English language expertise. The Centre has successfully undergone two “Standard Quality for Private Education Institution” (SKIPS) evaluations by the MOE in 2015 and 2022, affirming its compliance with the ministry’s educational quality standards.

“We began exploring new opportunities, such as launching short holiday programmes for summer and winter camps, attracting students from countries like South Korea and Japan starting in 2011. This growth reflects how the centre has adapted and expanded over the years, always aiming to meet the changing needs of our students,” recalled Sharen Kaur.

Today, APLC operates on the APU campus in Technology Park Malaysia (TPM), with a team of approximately 20 active English teachers. Its primary offering, the Intensive English Programmes (IEP), is structured into seven levels, including academic reading, writing, listening, and speaking classes, integrated with grammar instruction. The Centre also offers English for Specific Purposes (ESP) programmes for working adults and preparation classes for IELTS, MUET, and Linguaskill exams.

In 2022, APLC achieved a major milestone by launching its Korean Language proficiency programmes in collaboration with Dongseo University in Korea.

Participating in APLC's entire growth process, Ms Sharen expressed her thoughts, “I am incredibly thrilled and proud of what APLC has achieved. After working here for the past 15 years, this award is especially meaningful!” She continued, “Being recognised with this award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the entire team at APLC. This recognition not only highlights our commitment to excellence but also reinforces our position as a leading institution in English language education.”

Looking ahead, APLC aims to further enhance its English language programmes by offering certificates, diplomas, and degrees focused on teaching English with technology. The Centre also plans to expand its language offerings beyond Korean to include Mandarin, Japanese, and other languages.

“Our goal is to continue leading in language education by integrating innovative teaching methods and fostering global partnerships,” Sharen concluded.

This award serves as both a celebration of APLC’s past successes and a motivator to continue innovating and striving for even greater accomplishments in the future.