The Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) once again demonstrated its creative strength as students from the School of Media, Arts and Design (SoMAD) delivered an impressive showing at the annual Student Kancils x sCoolers (Kancil Awards) 2025, held on 28 November at EX8, Subang.

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Recognised as one of Malaysia’s foremost platforms for emerging creative talent, the Kancil Awards celebrates innovative, boundary-pushing works from the nation’s next generation of designers, storytellers, and visual thinkers. 

Organised by the Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia (4As), this year’s competition accepted student submissions produced between November 2024 and November 2025. 

Despite receiving over 900 entries from higher education institutions nationwide—including the One Academy, Dasein Academy of Art, Taylor’s University, and Sunway University—APU stood out with 55 nominations across multiple creative categories.

In the end, SoMAD students proudly brought home 3 Merits, 2 Silver Awards, and 3 Bronze Awards, reinforcing the School’s reputation for design excellence and impactful creativity. 

Winners’ Highlights 

To provide a clearer overview, below is a summary of APU’s award-winning entries:

Caryn Aurelie’s selection for the exclusive Kancil sCooler Portfolio Review is particularly noteworthy, as only a limited number of students nationwide are invited for professional critique sessions with industry experts. Her strong portfolio stood out, securing yet another recognition for APU.

Guided by Dedicated Educators

Behind every shortlisted and award-winning project stands a team of committed academic mentors. SoMAD lecturers—including Mr Saifullizan Abdul Wahab, Mr Chua Soo Han, Mr Mohamed Khairi Ibrahim, and Ts Stefanie Quah—supported students throughout their creative journey. Their guidance encompassed supervising project development, refining submissions, producing print panels, preparing mock-ups, and facilitating the final judging process.

A Testament to Creativity and Growth

Reflecting on the School’s achievements, Ms Debbie Liew, Head of SoMAD, shared an uplifting message:

“To have our students recognised among more than 900 submissions is truly commendable. Their success speaks not only of talent, but of perseverance, originality, and a willingness to challenge creative norms. This year also marks our first time securing two Silver Awards alongside a Merit in the Kancil sCooler Portfolio Review—a milestone that reflects SoMAD’s continued evolution. I am immensely proud of our students and the lecturers who guided them; together, they embody the spirit of creative excellence we strive to cultivate at APU.”

The outstanding results at the Student Kancils x sCoolers 2025 reaffirm APU’s commitment to nurturing thoughtful, skilled, and future-ready creative professionals—individuals who will continue to raise the bar for Malaysia’s creative industries.