As the accounting and finance profession continues to evolve, employers increasingly seek graduates who possess not only strong technical knowledge but also leadership, communication, and teamwork capabilities. 

In line with this expectation, Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) remains committed to nurturing well-rounded, future-ready graduates through meaningful industry engagement and experiential learning. 

This commitment was exemplified when four graduating Accounting and Finance students were selected to participate in the AICPA & CIMA Leadership Bootcamp 2025, a leadership and teamwork-focused programme designed to enhance career readiness among high-potential students. 

Industry-Led Learning with Global Professional Bodies

Held on 6 December 2025 at CIMA SE Sdn. Bhd., Kuala Lumpur, the bootcamp brought together approximately 90 students from public and private universities across Malaysia. 

Organised by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), the action-based programme focused on leadership development, collaboration, adaptability, and professional preparedness. 

Representing APU were Bachelor of Accounting and Finance students Khizar Hameed, Mohammed Faaiz, Soo Jun Zhang, and Mohamad Ismail Shariff, selected from the Strategy, Sustainability & Leadership module. 

The students were fully immersed in challenge-based leadership activities curated by the two globally recognised professional bodies, gaining exposure beyond the traditional classroom environment. 

Integrating Industry Insights for Career Readiness 

Beyond leadership and teamwork development, the bootcamp was enriched with strong industry engagement elements. Participants benefited from career-sharing sessions and professional insights from industry partners, including Cheng & Co., a local multi-disciplinary professional services firm, and YYC, a leading accounting and tax advisory firm in Malaysia. 

These sessions provided students with valuable exposure to real-world industry expectations, emerging career pathways, and the evolving role of accountants as strategic contributors to business value creation. 

Leading and Collaborating in Diverse Teams

A key feature of the bootcamp was its mixed-university team format, which required participants to collaborate with peers from different institutions to complete leadership and trust-building challenges. This structure encouraged adaptability, effective communication, and teamwork within newly formed and diverse groups. 

APU students demonstrated strong leadership and collaborative capabilities during the team-based challenge segment. Mohamad Ismail Shariff contributed to a mixed-university team that achieved First Runner-Up, while Soo Jun Zhang was part of a team that secured Second Runner-Up. These achievements reflected the students’ ability to perform effectively under pressure while navigating unfamiliar team dynamics. 

Experiential Activities that Build Practical Leadership Skills

The bootcamp featured a range of experiential learning activities designed to strengthen practical leadership competencies. These included Quadrant Sketching, which focused on communication and networking; Delegation and Origami, emphasising clarity of instruction and trust; DOPE Personality Profiling, promoting self-awareness and understanding of team dynamics; and Bridge-Building, which challenged participants to apply collaborative problem-solving and strategic thinking. 

Through these activities, students gained deeper insights into their leadership styles, interpersonal strengths, and approaches to teamwork—essential skills for future professionals in the accounting and finance sector. 

Student Reflections: Learning that Shapes Future Direction

Reflecting on his experience, Mohamad Ismail Shariff shared, “The strategic CIMA fast-track pathway was the most inspirational aspect for me. Having my academic achievement recognised and being informed that I only need to pass one final paper to become a Chartered Global Management Accountant validated my hard work. The insights from Cheng & Co. and YYC also inspired me to focus on creating real business value in my future career.” 

He further added, “Leading my team during the bridge challenge taught me that technical strategy must be complemented by effective collaboration. The DOPE personality assessment helped me understand my strengths as a ‘Dove’—particularly in motivating team performance.” 

Echoing this, Soo Jun Zhang noted, “The most interesting part of the bootcamp was identifying the type of leader we are. Connecting with participants who shared the same leadership style allowed us to bond quickly and exchange ideas in a meaningful way.”

Academic Support and a Shared Commitment to Holistic Education

Throughout the programme, the students were accompanied by Dr Ooi Bee Wah, Assistant Professor, and Dr Lim Ying Ying, Senior Lecturer from APU’s School of Accounting & Finance (SoAF). Their involvement reflected APU’s strong emphasis on academic mentorship and holistic student development. 

Preparing Graduates to Lead with Confidence

The AICPA & CIMA Leadership Bootcamp 2025 provided APU Accounting and Finance undergraduates with a valuable platform to strengthen leadership confidence, teamwork agility, and industry awareness. By combining academic foundations, professional body engagement, industry exposure, and dedicated lecturer support, APU continues to prepare graduates who are not only technically proficient but also adaptable and ready to lead in an increasingly dynamic global business environment.