APU: Prof Murali wins gold for design thinking innovation

Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) continues to lead in innovation, with its Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr Murali Raman, recently earning international recognition for his work in design thinking.

Prof Murali, known as APU’s “Design Thinking Guru,” received a Gold Medal at the prestigious 9th International Invention Innovation Competition in Canada (iCAN 2024).

His award-winning work focuses on digital business transformation, incorporating design thinking principles to drive organisational change.

Prof Murali’s groundbreaking approach

APU has long championed the use of design thinking beyond the confines of traditional design roles.

At the heart of this movement is Prof Murali, whose passion for training individuals in innovation spans various disciplines.

His expertise extends beyond design thinking to areas such as Coloured Brain Communication, Emotional Drivers, and crafting digital strategies.

“Design thinking is a mindset and approach to problem-solving that centres around human-centred design,” explained Prof Murali.

“It emphasises finding solutions rather than focusing solely on the problem.

My model for digital business transformation applies a phased approach incorporating the principles of design thinking to guide organisations, particularly in the financial sector, through their transformation journeys.”

Prof Murali’s submission to iCAN 2024, which won him the Gold Medal, is a model designed to assist businesses in navigating digital transformation.

The model integrates the four key phases of design thinking: clarify, ideate, develop, and implement.

This approach allows organisations to adopt a human-centred, structured process to tackle complex challenges, enhancing their innovation capabilities.

APU grows reputation in innovation

The award is a significant achievement for APU, further solidifying its reputation as a leader in innovative education.

Prof Murali’s work was not only recognised with a Gold Medal but also received special recognition from the World Invention Intellectual Property Association (WIIPA), highlighting the impact and relevance of his contributions.

The iCAN 2024, held online on August 24, is Canada’s premier competition for inventors, attracting participants from around the globe.

Organised by the Toronto International Society of Innovation and Advanced Skills (TISIAS) and sponsored by WIIPA, the Innovation Initiative Co-operative Inc., and the International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA), the competition has become a major platform for showcasing groundbreaking ideas.

This latest accolade is a testament to APU’s dedication to fostering innovation and its commitment to offering cutting-edge programmes that prepare students and professionals for the evolving demands of the digital economy.

APU is already exploring ways to expand the reach of design thinking and digital transformation through short-term training programmes and workshops.

With Prof Murali at the helm, the university is set to offer courses that equip professionals across industries with the tools to adopt design thinking and drive meaningful change in their organisations.

As Prof Murali continues to lead this effort, APU is poised to play an even greater role in shaping the future of digital innovation, not just in Malaysia but globally.

His achievements open new doors for collaboration between APU and industry partners, benefiting society through the application of innovative problem-solving techniques.

For more information on Prof Murali’s work and APU’s programmes in design thinking, visit their official website.