The Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0) has been around for a decade and with IR5.0 now emerging, many academics and practitioners forecast that new skills and knowledge will be required by future graduates and industry where there will be greater integration of humans with technology in this revolution.
Given that collaborative robots, or “Cobots”, will make it easier to automate the routine task and take over the workload, humans no more regard robots as rivals replacing their job roles, rather, they are now welcoming them as collaborative partners.
The process of such digital transformation – stimulated either by Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Virtual Reality (VR), Cloud Computing, or Data Science, has not only expedited smarter business settings but improved the standard of the customer experience, managing expectations and tailoring the consumption journey.
In the context of a business arena driven by the most advanced ecosystems and greater consumer demand, the School of Business at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) has redesigned its courses by infusing a broad range of new digital technologies.
Running in parallel with APU’s IR4.0 strategy which prepares students for the competitive workforce, the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes have incorporated automation, customisation, transformation and data exchange.
“In a disruptive marketplace, today’s graduate is required to be digitally literate, able to communicate, handle ambiguity, and exhibit soft skills through a people-centred approach,” indicated Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jason Turner, Senior Head of School of Business, APU.
Modular content for business programmes at different levels is constantly being updated to future proof graduates and prepare them for an increasingly disruptive employment market that requires diverse skill sets.
“Business programmes at APU are streamlined by adding identifiable modules to the curriculum which address data intelligence, leading digital transformation and the user experience,” elaborated Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jason Turner.
Whether learners wish to be entrepreneurial, lead an organisation or be part of a team being led, APU’s business programmes across the School of Business portfolio are designed to raise entrepreneurial acumen, imparting skills to underpin its graduates’ abilities to secure employment across a range of industries and specialisms.
Expectedly, in an increasingly complex environment, graduates are required to be multi-taskers, able to strategise, problem-solve and interpret data and situations to find creative solutions to inter-disciplinary problems.
To supplement curriculum developments and provide insight into the broader areas of IR 4.0 and beyond, APU also provides more flexible study options through micro-credentials and additional certification which allows students to personalise their learning experience as they progress with their studies.
Firstly, students can choose to enrol for the APU-CMI Dual Certification. This means adding a CMI qualification to their University degree. During their studies, students will become affiliate members of CMI - the Chartered Management Institute which is dedicated to increasing the number of professionally qualified managers and leaders.
Secondly, as one of the SAP University Alliances members, APU’s business programme graduates are entitled to a certificate given by one of the world’s leading producers of software for the management of business processes, upon completion of its Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP) with SAP Platform module, to acknowledge student proficiency in applying SAP ERP to real-life business cases. This will ultimately increase graduates’ employability.
“As a graduate in BA (Hons) Business Management with a specialism in E-Business from APU, all of the modules that were relevant to E-Business, E-Commerce, and IR4.0 did support me with my current job as a Key Account Manager in Business Development in Shopee, one of the biggest e-commerce platform. I am now capable of setting business growth plans, analysing data, and advising strategy to increase traction and sales for the company,” shared Chan Chieh Yiing.
Christina Teo, another alumna of the same programme concurred, “IR4.0 related modules had helped me gain an understanding of technologies that businesses use. When I entered the working environment, it was easier for me to operate and navigate technologies such as SAP ERP, e-commerce, digital marketing and others. When the company decided to implement new technologies to assist their everyday operational activities, I felt capable to handle the challenge.”
While Chan and Teo were among the sought-after graduates, according to the recent Annual Graduate Tracer Study by the Higher Education Ministry, 100% of APU graduates were employed upon graduation, which indicates the higher education institution’s success and pride in nurturing professionals for global careers.
APU students in general will have the option to opt-in for the APU-DMU Dual Degree Scheme, where they will receive two sets of degree certificates and transcripts upon graduation: One from Asia Pacific University (APU), Malaysia, and another from De Montfort University (DMU), United Kingdom. To find out more about APU’s tech-infused business programmes, visit www.apu.edu.my.
