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Recently, the School of Marketing and Management (SoMM) at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) hosted SoMM Fusion Fest 2026, guided by the theme “Future Ready: Race, Learn, and Transform;” bringing together Diploma students from APU and four participating universities for a day of friendly competition, career learning, and cross-university engagement.

The participating universities included Universiti Antarabangsa MAIWP (UniMAIWP), SEGi University (SEGi), University of Malaya-Wales (UM-Wales), and UNITAR International University (UNITAR); allowing students from different institutions to come together and share in the experience.

The event commenced with an opening address by Assoc Prof Dr Devinder Kaur (Head, SoMM at APU), who welcomed the participants to SoMM Fusion Fest 2026.

She also took participants down memory lane with a video showcasing highlights from previous editions of SoMM Fusion Fest, reflecting on the event’s journey and its continued role in bringing students together through shared experiences.

SoMM Fusion Fest 2025 article can also be read on our website [HERE].

Professor Dr Ho Chin Kuan, Vice-Chancellor of APU, subsequently officially launched SoMM Fusion Fest 2026 and welcomed the participating universities to APU.

In his remarks, he encouraged participants to make the most of the day, embrace the opportunity to interact with peers from different institutions, and above all, enjoy the experience.

Racing against the Clock: Inter-Varsity Amazing Race

The morning highlight was the Inter-Varsity Amazing Race, a timed team challenge featuring nine stations, with activities centred around human resources, media, and marketing.

Activities included producing a public service announcement, completing a blindfolded cup-stacking challenge based on verbal instructions, creating a short social media video, and other tasks designed to test creativity, communication, and teamwork.

Beyond completing the activities, teams were assessed on task completion, teamwork, and creativity; requiring participants to plan their approach, communicate clearly, and make decisions under time pressure. 

From the Race to Smart Careers: Using AI to Boost Employability

The afternoon continued with a talk titled “Smart Careers: Using AI to Boost Employability” by Ms Siti Aishah Md Lassim, Managing Director of Verstand; introducing participants to changes in the job market and the growing importance of balancing AI-related skills with human competencies such as analytical thinking and resilience.

She also shared practical approaches to preparing for the recruitment process; including tailoring job applications, preparing for interviews, strengthening LinkedIn profiles, and continuously developing relevant skills.

These practical approaches helped participants gain a clearer understanding of how they could position themselves more effectively when entering the job market and prepare for the expectations of prospective employers.

Additionally, participants were introduced to practical ways of using artificial intelligence (AI) in their career preparation; covering prompts for job applications and a 30-day career action plan.

These resources gave participants practical starting points for using AI responsibly to support their job search, while encouraging them to take a more structured approach to planning and developing their careers. 

Celebrating the Champions

The day concluded with a prize-giving ceremony, where prizes were presented to the top three teams of the Inter-Varsity Amazing Race.

The First-Place team (Group 7 from UNITAR) received a cash prize of RM350, the Second-Place team (Group 8 from UNITAR) received a cash prize of RM200, and the Third-Place team (Group 13 from APU) received a cash prize of RM150.

Closing the event, Dr Joachim Clement Denis (Senior Lecturer, SoMM at APU) expressed his appreciation to everyone involved for their contributions towards making SoMM Fusion Fest 2026 a successful and engaging event.

His message acknowledged the collective effort behind the event and the role of collaboration in creating an engaging experience for participants.

Overall, SoMM Fusion Fest 2026 left participants with more than memories of friendly competition, as they formed new friendships and gained a stronger appreciation for learning alongside peers from different institutions.

Through the combination of competition, collaboration, and career learning, the event encouraged participants to apply their skills in unfamiliar settings, while gaining perspectives that could support their personal and professional development beyond the classroom.