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In a proud and defining moment for Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), Assistant Professor Ir EUR ING Ts Dr Lau Chee Yong from the School of Engineering (SoE), and Head of the Visionary AI Studio at APU, has secured the prestigious Digital Society Research Grant (DSRG) from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
This landmark award, which comes after six years of persistent efforts, marks APU’s very first MCMC grant, a success that firmly cements the university’s reputation as a rising leader in impactful research and industry collaboration.
The award letter was formally presented at the MCMC Symposium 2025 in Sepang on 20 August 2025 by Emeritus Professor Dr Tharek Abdul Rahman, Advisor to MCMC. The ceremony was also attended by MCMC staff, including Ms Shirley Kuan Chien Hui, Head of Research Enterprise and Scholarship Department, MCMC, and Ms Malini Ramalingam, Head of MCMC Academy Division.
Groundbreaking Research with Real-World Relevance
Dr Lau’s winning project, “Optimising Malaysia's Parcel Delivery Resources through a Work-Sharing Model: An Industry Readiness Assessment,” directly addresses one of the country’s most pressing logistical challenges: inefficiencies in the courier and parcel delivery industry.
Supported by a grant of RM30,000 (inclusive of APU’s matching funds), the project seeks to develop a Collaborative Last-Mile Network (CLMN) model that will optimise resources, enhance sustainability, and strengthen Malaysia’s national delivery infrastructure. Last-mile delivery — which currently accounts for 41% of total supply chain losses — represents a critical area where innovation can make a transformative impact.
By exploring a work-sharing model for parcel delivery, Dr Lau’s research promises to reduce duplication of resources across multiple providers, improve operational consistency, and minimise environmental impact.
Standing Out Among National Applicants
The significance of this achievement was underscored by Professor Ts Dr Murali Raman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Development and Strategy) of APU, who congratulated Dr Lau on his remarkable success.
He highlighted that over 100 applicants from across Malaysia, primarily from public universities, vied for this grant, with only a handful from private institutions. Emerging as the top recipient, Dr Lau’s success reflects not only the strength of his research proposal but also APU’s growing prominence in the academic research ecosystem.
Strong Industry Engagement and Partnerships
A hallmark of Dr Lau’s project is its deep engagement with industry stakeholders. Comprehensive interviews have been conducted with leaders from Malaysia’s logistics and courier sector, ensuring that the research remains relevant, grounded, and impactful.
Among those contributing their expertise are:
- Ms Fiona Liao, Group Chief Marketing, Communications & Sustainability Officer, Pos Malaysia;
- Mr Chin Khee Hsien, Manager of Operations, FedEx Express;
- Ms Cheah Lee Sun, Director, SPX Express.
A hallmark of Dr Lau’s project is its strong engagement with industry stakeholders, including Mr Chin Khee Hsien (pictured above), Manager of Operations at FedEx Express, and Ms Cheah Lee Sun (third from left, pictured below), Director at SPX Express.
These partnerships highlight the strong industry relevance of the research and its potential to reshape last-mile delivery operations across the country.
A Collaborative Effort Across APU
Dr Lau is supported in this endeavour by senior APU leader and colleague: Prof Ir EUR ING Dr Vinesh Thiruchelvam, Chief Innovation & Enterprise Officer (CIEO), and Ms Hema Latha Krishna Nair, Head of the Asia Pacific Centre for Analytics (APCA). Their expertise has been instrumental in shaping a comprehensive research framework.
The project team also includes four talented student research assistants:
- Darren Ong Khang Xuan (Bachelor of Mechatronic Engineering with Honours);
- Yong Shin Cheng (Bachelor of Mechatronic Engineering with Honours);
- Ng Jing Wei (Bachelor of Engineering in Telecommunication Engineering with Honours);
- Lau Yi Jing (Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Honours).
Their involvement reflects APU’s ethos of hands-on, interdisciplinary research, nurturing future innovators while contributing to solutions of national significance.
Building on a Distinguished Track Record
As Head of APU’s Visionary AI Studio, Dr Lau has an impressive research portfolio with grants exceeding RM400,000 from agencies such as the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia Productivity Corporation, and Intel Malaysia.
His expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and renewable energy systems has consistently positioned him at the forefront of technology-driven innovation. This latest success reinforces both his personal achievements and APU’s research capabilities in advancing Malaysia’s digital transformation agenda.
APU’s Commitment to Impactful Research
This historic milestone is more than just an individual accomplishment — it symbolises APU’s continued rise as a Premier Digital Tech Institution (PDTI) that bridges academia, industry, and government.
It validates the university’s mission of producing impactful research that addresses real-world challenges while inspiring its community of students and academics to strive for excellence.
As the university celebrates this achievement, it signals the beginning of greater opportunities for APU to contribute to national priorities and collaborate with leading agencies and industries in shaping the future of Malaysia’s digital society.
A Word from the Vice-Chancellor
Reflecting on this achievement, Professor Dr Ho Chin Kuan, Vice-Chancellor of APU, remarked, “This historic milestone is a proud moment not only for Dr Lau but for the entire APU community. Securing our first MCMC grant demonstrates the strength of our researchers, the calibre of our students, and the unwavering support of our partners. It underscores APU’s commitment to driving innovation with real-world impact, and I am confident this success will pave the way for many more groundbreaking achievements in the years ahead.”