APEL.Q for Civil Servants is transforming Malaysian public sector education through a groundbreaking partnership between HELP University and Malaysia’s National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN). This strategic collaboration, announced in Kuala Lumpur on 25 April 2025, aligns with the national agenda outlined in Belanjawan 2025 and represents a significant milestone in recognising experiential learning within Malaysia’s public sector.
APEL.Q for Civil Servants: Pioneering Educational Innovation
The collaboration supports the government’s Tuition Assistance Initiative, a key feature of Belanjawan 2025 themed “Membugar Ekonomi, Menjana Perubahan, Mensejahtera Rakyat”. Under this initiative, the government will subsidise 50% of tuition fees or up to RM15,000 for civil servants who have served for more than 15 years. This represents a significant step in recognising experiential learning and promoting accessible, flexible education specifically tailored for the public sector.
HELP University’s Leadership in Experiential Learning Recognition
HELP University has established itself as a frontrunner in the APEL.Q landscape since being selected by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) in 2020 as one of four pioneering institutions to implement this innovative pathway. The university has since launched eight MQA-approved academic programmes, ranging from diploma to doctoral levels, with additional programmes currently in development to meet growing national demand.
Currently, over 200 learners have enrolled in HELP’s APEL.Q programmes for working professionals. These participants include C-suite executives, senior government officials, company directors, and successful entrepreneurs from both public and private sectors. Notably, some participants are affiliated with regional conglomerates and Nasdaq-listed companies, bringing decades of leadership experience while seeking formal academic recognition for their extensive professional achievements.
Strategic Partnership Framework
The APEL.Q for Civil Servants initiative was formalised through a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Professor Dr. Liew Teik Kooi (Andy), Vice Chancellor of HELP University, and Datuk Dr. Mohd Zabri bin Yusoff, Director of INTAN. The ceremony was witnessed by Dr. Wan Baharuddin Wan Mahmood, INTAN Deputy Director, and Encik Afdzal Hasmi Tan Sri Abu Hassan, Director of the APEL Centre at HELP University. Furthermore, the event was graced by Professor Datuk Dr. Paul Chan, Chancellor and Co-Founder of HELP University.
Transforming Lives Through Dignified Educational Pathways
Professor Dr. Liew Teik Kooi (Andy) emphasised the partnership’s transformative potential:
“There are thousands of civil servants whose years of dedicated service reflect deep expertise and unwavering commitment. Many of them may not have had the opportunity to pursue higher education earlier due to family, work and personal commitments. The APEL.Q pathway now provides these professionals with a second chance, a dignified and flexible route to gain formal academic recognition for their prior learning and real-world experience, without having to go through the traditional academic track.”
Expanding Collaborative Opportunities
This collaboration extends beyond expanding access to higher education through the accreditation of prior experiential learning. The partnership will strengthen joint efforts in several strategic areas:
- Development of specialised training and professional development courses
- Collaborative research and innovation initiatives
- Scholarly writing and publications
- Academic consultancy services
- Promotion of knowledge-sharing practices across the higher education sector
A Legacy of Educational Excellence
Founded in 1986, HELP University has evolved into a leading institution of higher learning in Malaysia, offering comprehensive social science and humanities programmes. The university is particularly renowned for its psychology, accounting, business, law, education, and IT programmes. On the flip side of traditional academic approaches, HELP has embarked on a transformation journey to become Malaysia’s Analytics-Driven Entrepreneurial University.
The institution’s commitment to innovation has earned multiple prestigious recognitions. In 2019, HELP University received Premier Digital Tech Institution (PDTI) status from the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) for being a leading digital tech-focused institution. Additionally, in 2020, it achieved an overall 5 Stars rating from Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), with specific recognition in teaching, employability, academic development, and internationalisation.
Since its launch in July 2021, APEL.Q has proven to be a transformative initiative for civil servants, creating pathways to formal qualifications without requiring professionals to relearn existing competencies. This partnership between HELP University and INTAN represents a shared commitment to supporting the government’s human capital development efforts through strategic, accessible, and meaningful lifelong learning opportunities. Unlike traditional academic routes, this collaboration recognises that experiential learning and professional expertise deserve formal acknowledgment, ultimately strengthening Malaysia’s public sector capabilities while advancing individual career prospects.
