Lim Yong Xing’s recognition through the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia Book Prize reflects APU’s commitment to nurturing future-ready engineering talent from the very beginning of their academic journey.

Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) celebrates the achievement of Lim Yong Xing, a first-year Bachelor of Computer Engineering student, who has been awarded the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) Book Prize for the “Best First Year Engineering Student” in recognition of his outstanding academic performance. 

The annual IEM Book Prize, worth RM500, is awarded to one outstanding first-year engineering student nominated by each participating university. Nominees are required to be Student Members of IEM, reflecting the professional body’s aim to encourage young engineering undergraduates to engage early with the engineering profession, while cultivating strong academic discipline and a habit of reading from reliable references. 

As part of the award process, Lim selected an engineering reference book of his choice, which was subsequently reimbursed by IEM. In keeping with tradition, the book was brought to IEM headquarters, where it was inscribed with the dedication, “The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia Book Prize for the Best First Year Engineering Student”, and personally signed by the IEM President.

On 3 July 2026, the incumbent IEM President, Ir Yau Chau Fong, signed the dedicated book and presented it to Lim during a simple but elegant ceremony at IEM headquarters. The gesture formally commended Lim as APU’s Best First Year Engineering Student for 2026. 

During the presentation, Ir Yau commended Lim for his commitment to his studies and encouraged him to continue striving for excellence throughout his engineering journey. The signed and dedicated book now serves as a lasting memento of Lim’s achievement, while also symbolising the standards of excellence upheld by Malaysia’s engineering profession. 

Lim was put forward for the award by Asst Prof Ir EUR ING Ts Dr Lau Chee Yong, Assistant Professor and Programme Leader of Computer Engineering at APU’s School of Engineering (SoE), who is also the Lead of the Visionary AI Studio (VAS). Dr Lau accompanied Lim to IEM headquarters for the presentation. 

According to Dr Lau, Lim’s nomination reflected his consistent dedication and strong academic results during his first year of engineering study. Such early recognition is important, as it motivates young talents to build confidence, remain disciplined and begin seeing themselves as future contributors to the professional engineering community. 

Congratulating Lim on the achievement, Prof Ir Dr Siva Kumar Sivanesan, Professor and Head of the School of Engineering (SoE) at APU, described the recognition as a proud moment for the University and a reflection of the calibre of students within the Computer Engineering programme. 

“We are immensely proud of Lim Yong Xing for earning this recognition from the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia in his very first year with us. This award is a testament not only to his own hard work and discipline, but also to the strong foundation our Computer Engineering programme provides for students to excel from the outset of their studies,” said Prof Siva. 

“I would also like to acknowledge Dr Lau for his continued mentorship and for championing our students in platforms such as this. We look forward to seeing Lim and many more of our students continue to flourish,” he added. 

For APU, Lim’s achievement reinforces the University’s ongoing commitment to nurturing well-rounded, industry-relevant and professionally aware engineering graduates. By working closely with professional bodies such as IEM, APU continues to expose students to professional standards, industry expectations and opportunities for recognition from the early stages of their academic development.

This milestone also highlights the role of strong academic mentorship in shaping future engineering talent for Malaysia. Through dedicated faculty guidance, professional engagement and a curriculum that supports both technical competence and professional growth, APU remains committed to building the next generation of engineers who are prepared to contribute meaningfully to industry, society and the nation.