MPA and APU Sign Landmark MoA to Boost Technological Solutions for Property and Construction Sector

KUALA LUMPUR, 10 May 2022 — Malaysia PropTech Association (MPA) and Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) signed a historic Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) that will benefit the advancement of technology solutions for Malaysian technology start-ups in the property and construction sector.

MPA President Dr. Daniele Gambero and Chief Innovation & Enterprise Officer Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Vinesh Thiruchelvam signed the MoU during the MPA Annual General Meeting (AGM) dinner in Kuala Lumpur, which was attended by more than 80 Proptech companies and officials from the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation (MRANTI), Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), and Small and Medium Enterprise Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp. Malaysia).

MPA President Dr. Daniele Gambero (left) and Chief Innovation & Enterprise Officer Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Vinesh Thiruchelvam signed the MoU recently in Kuala Lumpur during the MPA Annual General Meeting (AGM) dinner.

The MoA hereby grants APU a royalty-free, irrevocable, non-transferable, non-exclusive licence to use MPA's Foreground Intellectual Property for non-commercial purposes such as teaching and research on joint industry research projects.

MPA will facilitate industry study visits for APU undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as mutual visits by staff members, as appropriate, to improve learning experiences, professional development and curriculum development.

In addition, more than 80 proptech companies will receive support through matching, mentoring, connections, and onboarding. 

The collaboration's ultimate goal is to prepare future-ready digital talents who can now work on real-world projects arising from a sector that is rapidly digitally transforming.

Highlights of this MoA include :

• MPA’s involvement on APU’s Industry Advisory Panel (IAP). 
• The APU Sandbox team will also have an opportunity to learn from the MPA member start-ups in venture building areas.
• APU students will now be linked with industry-led projects which can be worked on as final year projects, Post-Graduate dissertations or working at MPA registered members/partners.

There is a growing awareness of technological solutions for Malaysian tech start-ups in the property and construction sector throughout Asia, particularly in Malaysia. This MoA between MPA and APU is yet another concrete achievement that strengthens relationships with multiple entities in Malaysia.

According to Dr. Daniele, MPA members — mostly Malaysian tech startups — are very excited about this collaboration with APU and hope to contribute industry insights, workshops, and mentoring APU students.

“In today's fast-changing world, the ability to adapt is a prerequisite for success, and MPA members are eager to collaborate with APU to open students' minds to it and prepare them for the future. Every aspect and layer of our work, learn, and play lives is infiltrated by technology,” he explained.

In order to be successful, new digitalized solutions must be developed based on a deep knowledge thorough understanding of the processes and flows of the specific field of application.

“MPA will always be ready to arrange sharing sessions and case study analysis to provide the academic side with real-world insight into pain points, problem statements, and actual needs. We look forward to a long-term constructive collaboration for the benefit of students, academics, and the built environment,” Dr. Daniele added.

Meanwhile, Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Vinesh stated that the MoA will allow APU to partner with Malaysian tech startups to infuse emerging technologies into the property and construction sector while allowing our talents to engage directly with the industry.

The MoU's ultimate goal is to prepare a future-ready digital talent who can now work on real-world projects arising from a sector that is rapidly digitally transforming itself.

“We are proud and excited to be collaborating with MPA on this historic event. Technological innovation and entrepreneurship DNA have the potential to alter the face and trajectory of a country's tech start-ups.

“Future market stability will be ensured by technologies that have the potential to either improve or transform, preserve and tailor improvement functional values within the sector. Given the size of the market and development potential, as well as Malaysia's exciting tech scene, this partnership has the credibility to provide incredible opportunities, particularly in the property and construction sector,” he concluded.