Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology
Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology is a Malaysian education and training organisation focused on computing, information technology, business technology and related higher-education programs.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology (APIIT) is an education and training organisation established in Malaysia to help address the country’s shortage of information-technology professionals. Founded in 1993 by Datuk Parmjit Singh, the institute initially operated from Damansara Heights in Kuala Lumpur and concentrated on diploma-level computing and information-technology education. Its original role was closely connected to Malaysia’s broader effort to expand the supply of technically trained workers as the country developed its information and communications technology sector. APIIT expanded its academic scope through partnerships with overseas universities and professional technology organisations. A relationship with Monash University in Australia was established in 1994, followed by the introduction of a bachelor’s-degree twinning arrangement in 1995. In 1996, APIIT formed a twinning relationship with Staffordshire University in the United Kingdom for master’s-level courses. These collaborations enabled students to undertake programs structured around international university curricula while studying at APIIT facilities in Malaysia and, in some cases, through cross-border progression arrangements. The organisation also broadened its geographical reach. A Kuala Lumpur city campus opened in 1997, followed by a Karachi centre in Pakistan in 1998, a Colombo centre in Sri Lanka and a Lahore centre in Pakistan in 2000, and a Panipat centre in India in 2001. A Perth, Australia location was added in 2004. The available reference material does not establish the current operating status of every overseas centre, so the historical expansion should not be treated as a complete description of APIIT’s present footprint. APIIT’s Malaysian campus moved in 2003 to Technology Park Malaysia, approximately 20 kilometres south of central Kuala Lumpur near Bukit Jalil. The campus, commonly identified as APIIT TPM, was designed as a purpose-built teaching and technology environment with lecture rooms, an auditorium, a multipurpose hall, discussion areas, student social space, a cafeteria, a library, computer laboratories, and research and development facilities. A later campus development at Technology Park Malaysia was reported as completed in March 2017 after delays to the construction timetable. The institution’s academic portfolio has covered foundation, diploma, degree and postgraduate levels. Subjects have included computing, software engineering, web development, multimedia computing, mobile computing, artificial intelligence, information systems, computer security, biometrics, data analytics, business computing, e-commerce, engineering and technology management. APIIT has also operated an English Language Center serving local and international students. Its postgraduate offerings have included master’s programs in software engineering, technology management, information-technology management, multimedia applications management, electronic commerce, mobile computer systems and computing. The organisation’s positioning combines applied technology education, professional skills development and international academic collaboration. It has reported recognition or affiliation as a SUN and Microsoft authorised training centre, a SAP University Alliance Partner and a Microsoft Certified Technical Education Center. The institute’s alumni base has been described in the reference material as exceeding 14,000 graduates. APIIT is also associated with the later Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation, but the supplied sources do not provide enough detail to define the exact legal, organisational or brand relationship. Accordingly, APIIT’s present status and relationship to successor or affiliated institutions remain areas requiring verification.
History
APIIT was founded in Malaysia in 1993 as an institutional response to the national need for more information-technology professionals. Its first base was in Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur, where it offered diploma courses in computing and IT. The institute’s early model combined classroom education with practical technology training, reflecting the expanding importance of computer skills in Malaysia’s economic development. International collaboration became a central part of APIIT’s development. The organisation established cooperative links with Monash University in Australia in 1994 and launched a bachelor’s-degree twinning program with the university in 1995. In 1996, it began a twinning relationship with Staffordshire University in the United Kingdom for master’s-level education. These arrangements gave APIIT a route to offer internationally connected qualifications while retaining a Malaysian delivery base. The organisation expanded its physical and regional presence during the late 1990s and early 2000s. A Kuala Lumpur city campus opened in 1997. Centres followed in Karachi in 1998, Colombo and Lahore in 2000, Panipat in 2001 and Perth in 2004. The sources identify these locations as part of APIIT’s historical network, although they do not establish which centres remain active today. In Malaysia, the main campus moved in 2003 to Technology Park Malaysia near Bukit Jalil, south of Kuala Lumpur. The site provided teaching rooms, laboratories, library resources, research facilities and student amenities. APIIT also developed links with major technology vendors and professional training systems. It was recognised as a SUN and Microsoft authorised training centre in 1998, became a SAP University Alliance Partner in 1999 and was identified as a Microsoft Certified Technical Education Center in 2001. In 2004, the institution gained University College status, marking an expansion beyond its original diploma and training orientation. Its program portfolio subsequently covered the full progression from foundation study to postgraduate education. Undergraduate and diploma subjects included computing, software engineering, multimedia, web development, mobile computing, artificial intelligence, computer security, biometrics, data analytics, information systems, business computing, e-commerce and engineering. At postgraduate level, APIIT offered master’s programs in areas including software engineering, technology management, information-technology management, electronic commerce, mobile computer systems and computing. An English Language Center served both domestic and international learners. A new campus project at Technology Park Malaysia was delayed but was reported as completed in March 2017. The campus environment included lecture rooms, an auditorium, multipurpose facilities, computer laboratories, a library with electronic journals and databases, research and development space, social areas and food services. Student accommodation was available in nearby residential developments, supported by shuttle transportation. APIIT is historically and institutionally associated with the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation, but the supplied material does not definitively explain the legal transition or current status of the APIIT name. This uncertainty warrants further review.
- 2017
Technology Park Malaysia campus completed
[1]After reported delays, the new Technology Park Malaysia campus was completed in March 2017.
- 2004
University College status and Perth expansion
[1]APIIT gained University College status and added a historical centre in Perth, Australia.
- 2003
Malaysian campus moved to Technology Park Malaysia
[1]The main Malaysian campus relocated from earlier Kuala Lumpur premises to Technology Park Malaysia near Bukit Jalil.
- 2001
Microsoft technical education recognition
[1]APIIT was identified as a Microsoft Certified Technical Education Center and also expanded to Panipat, India.
- 2000
Centres opened in Colombo and Lahore
[1]The historical APIIT network expanded to Colombo, Sri Lanka, and Lahore, Pakistan.
- 1999
SAP University Alliance partnership
[1]APIIT became a SAP University Alliance Partner, extending its connections with enterprise-technology education.
- 1998
Pakistan expansion and technology-centre recognition
[1]APIIT opened a centre in Karachi and was recognised as a SUN and Microsoft authorised training centre.
- 1997
Kuala Lumpur city campus opened
[1]The organisation expanded its Malaysian presence with a campus in central Kuala Lumpur.
- 1996
Staffordshire University postgraduate partnership
[1]APIIT began a twinning relationship with Staffordshire University for master’s-level courses.
- 1995
Bachelor’s twinning program launched
[1]A twinning pathway for bachelor’s degrees was introduced through the relationship with Monash University.
Products and positioning
Applied, technology-focused higher education and professional training with international university partnerships and a strong emphasis on computing and information technology.
Pre-university education
Foundation Program
A one-year preparatory program for students completing Form 5 or an equivalent secondary qualification. The program is designed to provide the academic base required for progression into undergraduate study, particularly in computing, business and related disciplines.
Diploma education
Diploma in Information and Communication Technology
A diploma-level information and communication technology program forming part of APIIT’s original applied-technology education portfolio. The institute also offered a version with a software-engineering specialism, allowing students to focus more directly on programming and software development.
Business and technology education
Business with Information Technology Diploma
A diploma program combining business studies with information-technology subjects. It reflects APIIT’s effort to serve students seeking technology competencies for commercial, management and digitally enabled business environments.
International undergraduate education
Staffordshire University-linked Bachelor's Degrees
APIIT offered bachelor’s-level programs associated with Staffordshire University, including computing, business computing, business information technology, e-commerce and engineering. Computing specialisms listed in the reference material included software engineering, web development, multimedia computing, mobile computing, artificial intelligence, computer security, biometrics and data analytics.
Postgraduate education
Postgraduate Computing and Technology Programs
APIIT’s postgraduate portfolio included master’s programs in software engineering, technology management, information-technology management, multimedia applications management, electronic commerce, mobile computer systems and computing. These offerings extended the institute’s remit from entry-level training into specialised technology and management education.
Language education
English Language Center
An English-language teaching operation serving international and local students. The centre complemented APIIT’s technology and higher-education programs by supporting language development for students studying in an international academic environment.
Sources2 sources
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