Asia Pacific University (APU) burst onto the scene in the 1990s as a top education institution with specialities in computing and technology studies.
Since then, the university has launched many other fields of study in business, accounting, finance, media, design, engineering and psychology.
So here are 7 reasons why you should pay attention to their Psychology course too!
1. You Thought APU Was Only For Tech Studies
APU is undoubtedly known as a pioneer and innovator in the landscape of technology education.
But what you may not know is that the field of Psychology is also increasingly interconnected with technology due to the rise in mobile technology that has become a pandora’s box into the world of social media and its negative side effects.
This is also another reason why Cyberpsychology is a studied module in the curriculum. More on this later!
APU’s understanding of technology applications allows its School of Psychology to adopt and infuse the latest technology into students’ learning and practice.
One example is the use of Virtual Reality (VR) headsets for patient therapies. Virtual simulations relating to phobias or anxieties are generated to enable patients to practice coping skills with the guidance of the therapist by their side.
Video conferencing tools are also becoming more prevalent for counselling services, and the methodologies of psycho-treatments have had to adapt to virtual environments to be equally effective.
Even Artificial Intelligence (AI) is actively being explored in numerous use cases where psychology theories and natural language processing algorithms are incorporated into AI training models with the objective of intelligent human engagement and assisted treatments.
2. You Didn’t Know How Much They Invested Into Their Psychology Facilities
The study of Psychology is not just textbooks and theories but requires real application that requires heavy investments into advanced equipment, software and purpose-built spaces to simulate actual patient or research environments.
That is exactly what APU has done.
APU has established the Centre for Psychology and Well-Being which is comprised of physical spaces that serve various learning objectives.
Psychobiological Laboratory
This lab is equipped with equipment such as the Electroencephalogram (EEG) DSI-24 dry electrode headset and the state-of-the-art Tobii Pro Fusion Eye Tracker to process human cognitive activity information through reading, scene perception, visual searching and brain waves activity.
It is also used for research-related purposes or to deliver classes that require assessing brain activities.
XR (Meta) Studio
The APU XR (Meta) Studio is a first-of-its-kind facility that comprises technologies capable of developing Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) and Mixed Reality (MR) applications.
It is not only used for Psychology studies but also for Computer Games Development, Multimedia Technology, Engineering, Animation and Visual Effects
Psychoanalysis Therapy Suite
The therapy rooms are customised for individual as well as group therapies and designed to provide a quiet, comfortable, energizing, and soothing space. They are used for training, teaching and actual consultation purposes.
Psychological Testing and Measurement Room
This room serves to provide a quiet space for any academic and research-related activities where the psychological instruments are stored.
Psychology Group Observation
This room is used for observation-related activities. It is installed with a one-way mirror (semi-transparent mirror), audio/video capture equipment and is brightly lit from one side to allow people to inconspicuously observe human behaviours on the other side.
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3. You Didn’t Realise How Highly Relevant The Curriculum Is To Different Industries
APU is one of the first institutions in Malaysia to incorporate cyberpsychology into its curriculum, a rapidly evolving sub-field in psychology. It aims to equip students to better grasp the growing influence of digital spaces on human behaviour.
Beyond the core curriculum, students will be exposed to complementary and interdisciplinary subjects that are contextualised for Psychological application.
For example:
- Media – How visual communication and media messages influence perception, emotions, and decision-making. Students will analyze the psychological impact of advertising campaigns or study the effects of social media design on user behaviour.
- Design – Learning how to design user interfaces and experiences (UI/UX) that are user-friendly and cater to human cognitive processes such as designing accessible websites or educational tools that promote effective learning.
- Marketing – Exploring the psychology of consumer behaviour and how marketing strategies influence consumer choices including persuasion techniques, analyzing consumer trends, and developing effective marketing campaigns.
- Communications – Examining the role of communication in social influence, group dynamics, and conflict resolution in order to develop effective communication skills for persuasion, negotiation, and leadership.
These are examples of how Psychology can be applied to different industries.
4. You Didnt Know APU Has An Impressive Faculty Line-Up
APU’s School of Psychology is lead by Associate Head, Ms. Vinorra, who holds a Master’s degree in Counselling from Monash University Australia and will be completing her PhD in Education and Psychology.
She is assisted by Dr. Zhooriyati who is a an experienced Programme Leader & Senior Lecturer of the faculty and is also the Honorary Secretary of the Malaysian Criminological and Correctional Association (MCCA).
You will be guided by a highly qualified teaching faculty who are certified clinical psychologists and/or licensed counsellors.
5. You Didn’t Know How Deep The Faculty’s Research Endeavours Go
The faculty publishes various studies in reputable scientific and psychology journals. Some examples are:
- Dr Zhooriyati’s publication in Journal of Positive School Psychology explored the implications of imprisonment of husbands and the psychological impact on the wives, highlighting a potential negative social impact beyond the incarcerated individual.
- Ms Vinorra’s publication in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health explored the impact of cyberbullying, social media addiction and associations with depression, anxiety, and stress among medical students in Malaysia. The insights underscore the need for stronger anti-cyberbullying policies and educational programmes to foster a safer online environment for students.
Apart from these, the faculty members have participated and been invited to speak at national conferences such as the
- 3rd Borneo Quality of Life Conference;
- 10th World Congress of CBT 2023;
- 5th Malaysian International Psychology Conference;
- 11th International Qualitative Research Conference;
- 26th Annual Cyberpsychology, Cybertherapy and Social Networking Conference;
- Cyberpsychology Conference for The Society for Australasian Social Psychologists (SASP);
- Australasian Congress on Personality and Individual Differences (ACPID; and
- 7th International Conference on Interdisciplinary Research on Computer Science, Psychology, and Education.
The faculty is highly active outside the academic boundaries of the university to ensure they create real impact to the advancements of the field and be an example for the students under their guidance.
6. You Didn’t Know About The Positive Reviews From APU’s Psychology Students
Kho Jia Jia and Sharenya are among the top students from APU.
Kho Jia Jia, Malaysia
”My three years at APU were an unforgettable journey. The diverse environment allowed me to make friends from different countries and broaden my horizons. As a psychology student, I am grateful to meet all the responsible, helpful, and caring faculty in the School of Psychology. I benefited greatly from their dedication, not only academically, but also in terms of interpersonal skills. Their empathy and understanding create a warm and supportive learning environment. They are always ready to listen to students’ concerns, provides guidance and emotional support. I also met wonderful friends here. The connections and friendships I made will become treasured memories. Overall, my experience at APU was positive and enriching. I am grateful for the opportunities and growth I have experienced here.”
Sharenya Kalidasan, Malaysia
”I am glad and lucky to study psychology course at APU. The facilities provided for the psychology course are really good. Even though it might be stressful sometimes but having good classmates, seniors, and lecturers who guide me throughout my university journey made me feel happy and lucky. The amount of support and care given by the lecturers to their students is really good. The lecturers are very helpful when it comes to assignments.”
David Arnaud Dogley, Seychelles
”Deepening my knowledge in psychology has been my aim since my first day of my degree, something I wanted to achieve. Through the semesters the knowledge I obtain were not only the theological quotes of Freud, but how to connect, empathise and reach out to others and how to do it in the most efficient way possible. It was not labour over pen and paper, without forming fruitful ventures of a rewarding and generous choice to have made. I hope to have similar experiences in the future, or better even.”
7. We Bet You Didn’t Know You Can Graduate With A Degree From The UK
APU offers a dual degree programme, where students can receive 2 degree certificates upon graduation: one from APU and another from De Montfort University in the UK, renowned for its 150 years of experience in providing higher education.
This helps you stand out from many other graduates in the same field as both institutions are seen in high regard and reputation by employers.
Some final words from Ms Vinorra,
Associate Head, School of Psychology & Senior Lecturer
“The future of psychology in Malaysia is bright and diverse. Our programmes at APU reflect this by offering a broad range of specialisations beyond traditional clinical settings. Whether you’re interested in cyberpsychology, organizational psychology, marketing psychology, or other areas, we equip you with the knowledge and practical skills to thrive in this dynamic field. Join us and be part of the next generation of psychologists who will shape the future of mental health and human behaviour in Malaysia.”
Psst … How about paying a visit to our guides on APU?
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