IACD 2023 attendees from 14 universities and private colleges pose for a photo with leaders from MACC, MAPCU, and APU.
KUALA LUMPUR, 14 DECEMBER 2023 — As part of its continued commitment towards fostering and nurturing highly ethical future talent, Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) has established the APU Chapter of Angkatan Mahasiswa Anti Rasuah (AMAR) club under the APU Club and Society.
This student-led initiative aligns with the aspirations of International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD) 2023, which highlights APU’s commitment to nurturing a “Professional and Ethical” culture among APU’s multicultural student community of more than 13,000 students from over 130 countries.
IACD 2023 was held at the state-of-the-art APU Campus in collaboration with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Malaysian Association of Private Colleges and Universities (MAPCU) to promote this year’s theme of ‘Uniting the World Against Corruption’.
“It was amazing to see all of us, particularly the younger generation who came together to discuss, share, network, and build our awareness about corruption,” said Datuk Parmjit Singh, APU’s Chief Executive Officer and MAPCU’s President.
He further cited former Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) secretary-general Angel Gurra who said, “Integrity, transparency, and the fight against corruption have to be part of the culture. They must be taught as fundamental values.”
Datuk Parmjit explained that APU’s mission is to provide high-quality, affordable, innovative, and internationally benchmarked education in a professional, ethical, and student-centered manner.
The words “Professional and Ethical” are at the core of the mission which APU and other MAPCU member institutions have and will always have to produce graduates who are not only qualified to take on new challenges but also do so with the highest ethical and professional standards.
“I am very pleased with MACC and MAPCU’s joint efforts; these events were a grand success. The main aim of IACD is to make sure that all of us, particularly students, are aware of issues surrounding corruption and corrupt practices, which have been proven to destroy the very fabric of society when left unchecked.
“Through IACD, I am sure, all students are now more aware of what is corruption, how it can and should be prevented, our roles as civil citizens in doing so, and the very important role our partner MACC plays in this context,” he said.
APU is confident that through IACD and the establishment of the APU Chapter of AMAR club, their students would lead lives and undertake leadership roles with the highest ethical principles such as integrity, transparency, and honesty.
“Let today not be the end of IACD but mark the beginning of our greater awareness and efforts we need to collectively put in to ensure that we fight corruption and corrupt practices, for the betterment of society,” he concluded.
This constant dedication to ethical behaviour is mirrored in APU’s diverse student body, both local and international, who carry the torch of “Professional and Ethical” wherever they go.
“Professional and Ethical” are not just a concept at APU; it is a pillar of their students’ development. APU students, whether from Malaysia or across the globe, are instilled with the values of “Professional and Ethical”, shaping them into responsible and ethical future-proof leaders.
MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Prevention) Datuk Seri Norazlan Mohd. Razali, MACC Director of Community Education Division Mr. Nazli Rashid Haji Sulong, MACC Selangor Director Datuk Haji Alias Salim, MACC Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur Director Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Husin@Che Mamat, MACC Negeri Sembilan Director Mr. Awgkok Ahmad Taufik Putra Awg Ismail, as well as members of APU’s Senior Leadership Team, staff and students were also present.
The IACD event was split into two parts. In the morning, Datuk Haji Alias spoke about “MACC Anti-Corruption Initiatives and Strategies, and Towards a Corruption Free Generation ” in an anti-corruption forum comprising Datin Yasmin Tan Sri Ahmad Merican (Consultation and Anti-Corruption Panel), Mr. Awgkok Ahmad (Director of MACC Negeri Sembilan), and Mr. Ainul Luqmanul Hakiim Hazni (APU International Relations Society Chairman); moderated by APU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Development and Strategy) Prof. Ts. Dr. Murali Raman.
From left, APU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Development and Strategy) Prof. Ts. Dr. Murali Raman started an anti-corruption forum entitled Towards a Corruption Free Generation as a moderator along with the invited panel Datin Yasmin Tan Sri Ahmad Merican (Consultation and Anti-Corruption Panel), Mr. Awgkok Ahmad (Director of MACC Negeri Sembilan), and Mr. Ainul Luqmanul Hakiim Hazni (APU International Relations Society Chairman).
MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Prevention) Datuk Seri Norazlan Mohd. Razali, accompanied by APU’s Chief Executive Officer and MAPCU’s President Datuk Parmjit Singh, handed prizes to TikTok IACD 2023 winner Intan Nur Najwa Nasarudin.
After a colourful Kazakh Student Society’s cultural performance at noon, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Haji Azam Baki opened the event with a keynote address via video broadcast, followed by Datuk Parmjit’s speech.
Later, Datuk Seri Norazlan, accompanied by Datuk Parmjit, launched the APU AMAR club and presented prizes to Intan Nur Najwa Nasarudin, winner of TikTok IACD 2023, and Nur Ain Atikaazwani Yusof, winner of IACD 2023 One Million Participants.
Around 500 students from APU, Intec Education College, Kolej Hafiz Klang, International Medical College (IMC), Saito University College, East West International College, Asia School of Business, International Islamic University Hafiz, University Selangor (UNISEL), Tunku Abdul Rahman University (UTAR), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT), Sunway University, UNITAR International University (UNITAR), and Nilai University attended the event.
This year’s IACD 2023, MACC collaborated with MAPCU to organise a nationwide celebration, starting with INTI College Sabah (ICS) on 4th November 2023, followed by Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus on 11th November 2023, DRB-HICOM University of Automotive Malaysia on 18th November 2023, Peninsula College Malaysia (The Ship Campus) on 25th November 2023), Southern University College (SUC) on 2nd December 2023, culminating in the grand finale at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) on 9th December 2023.
Datuk Seri Norazlan, who was accompanied by Datuk Parmjit, handed the certificate to Nur Ain Atikaazwani Yusof, the lucky winner of the IACD 2023 One Million Participants.