APU Psychology students gained valuable industry insights and creative perspectives through visits to Pasona HR Malaysia and GMBB Kuala Lumpur, enhancing their understanding of career opportunities, psychological applications, and critical thinking through real-world experiences.

Image

Students from the Conceptual Issues and Critical Debates in Psychology (CICD) module at the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation’s (APU) School of Psychology (SoP) embarked on an enriching off-campus learning experience on 24 June 2026, combining industry exposure with creative and cultural exploration.

Organised and led by SoP Lecturer, Mr Tan Wei Yu, the full-day learning activity began with a visit to Pasona HR Malaysia, a leading Japanese recruitment and human resources consulting firm located at Menara Bangkok Bank (Laman Sentral Berjaya), Kuala Lumpur.

During the visit, students participated in a career workshop titled ‘From Psychology Degree to Career Success: Beyond Becoming a Psychologist’, conducted by Mr Leon Chen Ee Ru and Ms Kyoko Sasaki, Human Resource Executives and Consultants at Pasona Malaysia. 

The session provided valuable insights into career pathways beyond traditional psychology roles, covering essential topics such as resume writing, interview preparation, workplace professionalism, and industry expectations.

Students were also introduced to the Uchida-Kraepelin Performance Test, a psychometric assessment tool exclusively used by Pasona Malaysia within the local talent market.

The introduction offered students a deeper understanding of how psychological principles and assessment methods were applied in human resource practices and talent management.

The learning journey continued at GMBB in Kuala Lumpur, where students explored the intersection between psychology, culture, creativity, and human interpretation. 

Through various exhibitions and installations, they examined how ideas, identities, and experiences were shaped through artistic expression.

One of the highlights was a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional Wayang Kulit (shadow puppetry) from an indigenous cultural perspective, featuring modern pop culture elements. 

The artwork encouraged students to reflect on how cultural meanings and identities evolved across different contexts.

Students also experienced an immersive digital art installation, where projected visuals, light, and movement transformed the surrounding space.

The installation prompted discussions on how technology influenced audience perception and reshaped interactions with art. 

The visit concluded at the ‘International Imprint’ exhibition, which showcased print-based artworks from various countries under the theme of ‘Culture’, allowing students to compare how different societies represented identity, heritage, and collective experiences.

Throughout the GMBB visit, students actively engaged in critical discussions, looking beyond visual appreciation to analyse the deeper meanings, assumptions, and perspectives behind each artwork, reflected the critical thinking skills developed through the CICD module.

Ms Vinorra Shaker, Head of SoP, highlighted the importance of experiential learning in psychology education, stating that the activity represented APU’s approach of moving beyond textbooks and connecting knowledge with real-world experiences.

“By balancing Pasona Malaysia’s cutting-edge corporate insights with deep cultural exploration at GMBB, our students did not just absorb knowledge; they applied it. 

“This immersive exposure bridges the gap between theory and practice, equipping our graduates with the critical thinking skills and professional confidence needed to thrive in the industry,” she said.

Sharing the purpose behind the initiative, Mr Tan Wei Yu explained that he wanted students to understand that scientific knowledge and philosophical concepts were not merely abstract ideas but could be experienced and applied through real-life situations.

Reflecting on the experience, Psychology student Jun Sasaki shared that the Pasona HR Malaysia visit provided valuable insights into the human resource industry and corporate expectations, which would support future career planning. 

She also described the art gallery visit as “a wonderful way to spark our creativity and unwind as a group”.

Fellow student Ameerul Haziq Azizi added that the career workshop provided greater clarity on the different pathways available after completing his undergraduate studies, while helping him develop the confidence and professional skills needed to become more employable.

The off-campus learning experience demonstrated APU SoP’s commitment to providing industry-connected and experiential education that prepares students to apply psychological knowledge in diverse professional and social contexts. 

The initiative also supported APU’s contribution towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities through the appreciation and preservation of cultural heritage.