APU Students Take Flight at Manila's EntreConference

The programme featured entrepreneurship workshops, company visits and immersive cultural experiences.

Published 26 Nov 2024

APU Students Take Flight at Manila's EntreConference

Three talented student entrepreneurs from Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU) embarked on a transformative outbound learning experience to Manila, Phillippines via EntreConference, an international programme that’s designed to immerse young entrepreneurs in global markets and diverse business cultures.

In partnership with Reactor School, National Youth Council Singapore and the AsiaReady Exposure Programme, EntreConference offers participants a unique immersion into Southeast Asia’s startup ecosystem. The programme features entrepreneurship workshops, company visits and cultural experiences, helping students forge global networks and gain invaluable insights into business models across the region.

The programme also enabled the three students from APU, namely Viman Vinesh, Harshaa Ranee Ram Bahadur and Meerra Murthi, to refine their startup idea, Device4U. Viman Vinesh, a student from the BSc (Hons) in Software Engineering programme, shared, “This trip exposed us to new entrepreneurial trends and helped us shape our business for the global stage. The mix of culture and entrepreneurship made the experience even more impactful.”

For Harshaa Ranee Ram Bahadur, who is pursuing Actuarial Studies specialising in Financial Technology at APU, the chance to engage with startup founders and mentors from across Southeast Asia was a standout experience. “It gave us a unique opportunity to not only learn about the latest trends in the startup ecosystem but we were able to speak to other startup founders who guided us in improving our startup idea. It was inspiring to learn about the startup ecosystem in the Philippines and what it takes to grow a business in Southeast Asia,” she stated.

Meerra Murthi, a Computer Science (Cyber Security) student, was particularly moved by the social impact aspects of entrepreneurship, sharing, “Visiting the San Miguel Foundation reminded me that entrepreneurship is about solving problems that affect people’s everyday lives. It reinforced our drive to create something meaningful with Device4U.”

Professor Dr Vinesh Thiruchelvam, Chief Innovation and Enterprise Officer at APU, praised the students’ achievements, noting, “The recognition from Reactor Singapore for our students’ entrepreneurial potential is a testament to APU’s commitment to nurturing innovation. With the efforts of Dr Beh Ching Yew and the team at Enterprise@APU, we continue to build a strong foundation for outcome-based startup activities that empower our students to thrive globally.”