Why APU Is Malaysia’s Hub for Innovative Industrial Design Students

APU’s Legacy of Innovation in Industrial Design

Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) has built a strong legacy in nurturing Industrial Design students who think beyond conventional boundaries. Its School of Media, Arts & Design (SoMAD) consistently produces award-winning projects, placing Malaysia on the map of global design innovation.

APU’s commitment to creativity, sustainability, and real-world impact has positioned the university as a top choice for students who want to combine design expertise with practical solutions. With recognition in global competitions, the university is widely celebrated for empowering students to become changemakers in the design world.

UNBLOK – Turning Waste into Innovative Solutions

The Problem UNBLOK Solves

Food waste and used cooking oil contribute to 31–45% of Malaysia’s municipal solid waste. Poor disposal often causes clogged drains, water pollution, and urban flooding. UNBLOK addresses this environmental challenge by offering a sustainable, practical solution that reduces waste impact at the source.

A Circular Design Approach

Developed by APU students Ng Wen Kai, Ong Jing Rou, and Natalie Tham Li Thing, UNBLOK is a bio-based filter made from palm oil waste, turning agricultural by-products into a reusable, scalable solution. Its modular design allows flexible application in households, restaurants, and large food outlets. By reusing waste to manage waste, UNBLOK embodies the principles of circular design.

APU Students’ Track Record at the James Dyson Award

APU’s Industrial Design students have consistently achieved recognition at the James Dyson Award, showcasing creativity and engineering excellence.

National Achievements

This streak demonstrates APU’s ability to cultivate students capable of delivering impactful, world-class solutions. Few institutions in Malaysia or the region can claim such sustained excellence in a global competition that celebrates both creativity and engineering rigour.

Mentorship and Guidance

Guided by Mr Eekang Ooi, a Certified Industrial Designer (CIDe), APU students combine academic knowledge with real-world applicability, ensuring that their projects, like UNBLOK, are not just innovative but also practical.

Shaping Sustainable Innovation and Career Skills

By capturing FOG at the sink with a palm-fibre waste filter, UNBLOK transforms an abundant by-product into a scalable, circular solution, supported by studies showing that palm fibres are highly effective at absorbing oils.

Real-World Impact

UNBLOK aligns with Malaysia’s sustainable waste management policies, reducing landfill dependency and promoting green technologies. By leveraging locally sourced agricultural waste, it ensures affordability and accessibility for broad adoption.

Preparing Future Designers

Hands-on projects like UNBLOK equip students with practical skills and experience, enhancing their employability in Malaysia and globally. This emphasis on real-world problem-solving ensures that APU Industrial Design graduates are ready to make an impact from day one.

National Recognition and International Stage

Their success has brought the UNBLOK team not only national recognition but also the James Dyson Award cash prize of RM27,800. More importantly, the project now advances to the international stage, where it will compete against the world’s best innovations, showcasing Malaysia’s creative and sustainable talent on a global platform.

Other Malaysian winners this year include Team Flood Monitoring Alert and SOS System (FMAS-1), recognized for their disaster-preparedness device, and Team Ecliptica-5, celebrated for their sustainable design solution. These achievements further highlight the depth of talent and innovation among Malaysia’s young designers.

Voices of Innovators

Reflecting on their achievement, the UNBLOK team shared:

"Winning the National Award is a tremendous encouragement. It shows that design can be a powerful tool for change," said Ng Wen Kai, one of the creators.

With its modular design, UNBLOK ensures flexibility, whether in household kitchens, bustling restaurants, or large-scale food outlets, demonstrating the practical applicability of student-led innovation.

SoMAD: Shaping the Future of Design

The creation of UNBLOK at APU’s School of Media, Arts & Design (SoMAD) reflects the school’s commitment to empowering students to think beyond conventional boundaries.

This success is part of a broader legacy,  SoMAD consistently nurtures students to combine creativity, sustainability, and practical solutions, producing innovators who make a real-world impact.

With each James Dyson Award win, SoMAD has strengthened its reputation as a leader in design education in Malaysia and internationally.

Looking Ahead: Global Stage and Sustainability Leadership

As UNBLOK advances to the international stage of the James Dyson Award, anticipation grows over how it will perform against the world’s most cutting-edge innovations. Regardless of the outcome, APU has already strengthened its position as Malaysia’s hub for Industrial Design students, empowering the next generation of sustainable innovators.

Ms Debbie Liew Pooi Kuan, Head of SoMAD, commented:

"At SoMAD, we believe in design with purpose. Every project we nurture is about more than aesthetics; it is about problem-solving and impact. The success of UNBLOK reflects the dedication of our students and staff to sustainability and innovation."