APU reigns supreme in national cashless campaign

Following Bank Negara Malaysia’s vision for a cashless society, Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) has emerged as the undisputed champion among private universities.

This achievement comes as a result of its exceptional performance in the recent Digital Campus 2.0 campaign organised by Payments Network Malaysia (PayNet).

APU’s long-standing commitment to cashless payments since 2017 proved instrumental in securing this prestigious title, along with a cash prize of RM150,000 and recognition as the best campaign pitch.

APU soars to cashless victory

Launched in 2023, the Digital Campus 2.0 campaign challenged student bodies within participating universities to formulate impactful proposals promoting digital payments within their respective campuses.

The APU student body rose to the occasion, recording a remarkable 38 cashless transactions per capita between October and December 2023, culminating in an impressive total of 500,000 transactions.

This stellar performance earned them the top spot in the private university category, along with the coveted “Best Pitch” award at the campaign’s finale.

The award ceremony was formalised by PayNet Chairman Datuk Ahmad Hizzad Baharuddin and PayNet Group Chief Executive Officer Farhan Ahmad, with the honourable presence of Higher Education Director-General Professor Dr. Azlinda Azman.

Innovative “APCard” drive efficiency

APU Student Representative Council (SRC) President Chung Yu Qin and Secretary Chu Kwan Yeu Jovi James offered valuable insights into their winning strategy.

Notably, APU boasted an average of 38 cashless transactions per student during the campaign period, translating to an efficient cost per transaction of only RM0.054.

This impressive efficiency was further bolstered by their innovative in-house “APCard” payment system, seamlessly integrated with popular options like DuitNow QR, offering students a familiar and convenient way to go cashless.

The SRC team emphasised that their efforts transcended mere transactions, actively promoting a cashless lifestyle beyond the campaign period.

Events like the International Cultural Night 2023 saw cashless payment options seamlessly integrated for ticket sales, merchandise purchases, and food & beverage transactions by external vendors.

Their dedication to leading by example and fostering a campus culture that embraces cashless convenience played a crucial role in their success.

APU’s victory serves as a powerful testament to the potential of collaboration and innovation in driving cashless adoption.

Their dedication to digital solutions not only earned them recognition but also serves as an inspiration for other educational institutions as Malaysia moves towards a more digital future.