Arabic Dev Group MY Meetup Summary: Freelance Visa – AI Innovation – Shape Up
At the Arab Programmers Meetup in Malaysia, a transformative vision was introduced that merges high-quality academic services, cutting-edge AI applications in education, and pathways for freelancing in Malaysia. This event brought together thought leaders, university representatives, and tech entrepreneurs to showcase how students and professionals can thrive in the Malaysian ecosystem.
University Services and Academic Programs – Presented by Prof. Anis, a Key Supporter of APU
Asia Pacific University (APU) is one of Malaysia’s top-ranked universities, especially known for its strong tech, business, and creative programs. With a strategic focus on innovation and employability, Prof. Anis — a major advocate and sponsor of APU — introduced the academic offerings with a clear message: “Education must evolve to serve the digital age.”
Academic Programs at APU:
🔹 Accounting, Finance & Actuarial Science
Specializations include:
- Forensic Accounting
- Forex & Investment
- Accounting Technology (AccTech)
- Investment Analytics
- Financial Technology
- Actuarial Science with Data Analytics
🔹 Engineering Degrees
- Electrical & Electronic Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Mechatronic Engineering
- Mechanical & Petroleum Engineering
All programs are internationally recognized under the Washington Accord, enabling graduates to work across 20+ countries including Saudi Arabia, Canada, the UK, and the US.
🔹 Creative Technology & Digital Media
- Digital Advertising
- Animation
- Visual Effects
- Industrial Design
Developed in collaboration with industry partners such as Dev Group, Netsco, and 1919.
🔹 Postgraduate & Online Programs
- Master’s degrees in AI, Data Science, Cybersecurity, and more
- Fully online options (100% remote learning)
🔹 100% Employability Rate
Rated as Talentbank’s Employers’ Choice of University 2025, APU graduates are recognized by companies like Nestlé, PETRONAS, PwC, and CIMB.
AI-Powered Education – Presented by Capt. Mostafa Othman, under the supervision of Haitham Al-Naeb (Founder of ArchitWeb)
The second session was led by Capt. Mostafa Othman, who presented an in-depth look at how APU integrates artificial intelligence into its learning systems. The presentation was supervised by the event’s general moderator, Haitham Al-Naeb, founder of ArchitWeb, a leading tech firm focused on education and web technologies.
ChatGPT Edu – A Customized Educational AI Tool
Developed with OpenAI and deployed at APU, ChatGPT Edu provides:
- GPT-4 Turbo access
- Unlimited use for students & staff
- Tools for Python coding, data analysis, image generation
- Secure file upload (PDF, Excel, etc.)
- FERPA-compliant data privacy
- Campus-specific customization
Real Use Cases from Leading Universities:
- Stanford: Personalized AI-based adaptive learning
- Georgia Tech: AI teaching assistants for student support
- University of Illinois: Predictive analytics for student performance monitoring
APU’s AI Applications:
- 24/7 AI support bots
- Smart course recommendations
- Automated grading and feedback
- Academic integrity checks
- Advanced learning analytics
Institutional AI Strategy Includes:
- Clear goal alignment
- Faculty development & upskilling
- Responsible data governance
- Ethical AI use policies
Collaboration with tech giants
How to Apply for a Freelance Visa in Malaysia
If you’re an aspiring digital nomad, Malaysia offers a fantastic opportunity through its Freelance Visa (also referred to as the Digital Nomad Visa). Whether you want to study at APU or work remotely while enjoying life in Malaysia, this visa is your entry point.
Requirements:
- Freelance Contract
You must have a valid freelance agreement or remote job with an entity outside Malaysia. - Minimum Income Proof
You only need to prove a symbolic $20k USD in yearly income via a bank statement — this is just to demonstrate income capability. - Sponsor Company: M TECH
M TECH is a Malaysian company that helps freelancers apply for this visa. - They handle document preparation
- Provide visa sponsorship
- Help you open a local bank account
- Guide the entire process from start to approval
The visa is fully legal and designed for remote workers who want to live in Malaysia while working with international clients.
Shape Up – A New Method for Software Development
In a refreshing and candid session led by Muhammad Hassan Ajek, a Syrian software engineer based in Malaysia, the concept of “Shape Up” was introduced as a bold alternative to traditional Agile methodologies. While Hassan humorously admitted his love-hate relationship with both Shape Up and frontend development, his insights resonated with many developers who feel overwhelmed by the endless cycles of grooming, planning, and incomplete sprints.
🔍 What is Shape Up?
Developed by Basecamp, Shape Up is a structured yet flexible framework that emphasizes:
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Six-week work cycles (instead of sprints)
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A “shaping” phase to define projects clearly before development
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A “betting” process where leadership decides which projects to prioritize
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A clear cooldown period for rest, reflection, and minor fixes
Unlike Agile or Scrum, Shape Up avoids excessive meetings, vague backlogs, and infinite iterations. It empowers small, focused teams to ship real value without the overhead of daily standups and long planning sessions.
Conclusion
- If you’re looking for globally accredited education, APU’s offerings are rich in academic depth and career relevance.
- If you want to experience AI-enhanced learning, APU and its partners like ArchitWeb are setting the standard.
- And if you dream of living and working remotely in Malaysia, the Freelancer Visa via M TECH offers a practical and affordable way to start.
The Arab Programmers Meetup proved that the future is now — and it’s full of opportunity.
If you want to communicate with the group, use the following link:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/arabic-dev-group-my/
