DIGITAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS
Wednesday, 27/09/2023
The country’s economic development needs to be treated as a main issue. Incentives and programmes for the strengthening the field of entrepreneurship therefore cannot be taken lightly and carried out seasonally.
Entrepreneurship is an important field for the country’s economic development and sustainability, so it needs to be taken care of innovatively and continuously. In this light, the implemented National Entrepreneurship Policy (DKN) serves as guidance for Malaysia in becoming a leading entrepreneurial country by 2030. The policy becomes the foundation for the formation of holistic entrepreneurship development ecosystem and is hoped to become the catalyst for the inclusive economy transformation process and the establishment of entrepreneurship community in Malaysia.
The policy is also considered as the impetus to steer Malaysia towards a country that is united, prosperous, and dignified as well as one that keeps on progressing sustainably with more inclusive and fair distribution of economy and subsequently becomes the core of Asia’s economy.
DKN has six strategic thrusts and one of them is solidify the ability and performance of micro, small, and medium industries. To ensure the success of the objectives, competitive entrepreneurs are urged to improve their entrepreneurship knowledge in line with DKN’s objectives of establishing holistic and conducive entrepreneurship ecosystem to support the country’s agenda of developing inclusive, balanced, and sustainable economy.
The aspiration will materialize if entrepreneurs equip themselves with knowledge regarding financial management and strategies for prospering their businesses and make them more sustainable.
The strategies should be geared towards communities that will give a big impact towards the state’s economic progress.
Thus, fitting the slogan University for Community, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) has introduced an initiative to help a community of small entrepreneurs around Terengganu improve their business skills and strategies to be more competitive in an uncertain economic situation currently.
“The initiative is a two-pronged strategy in that it will not only help improve the economy of Terengganu’s community but will also help boost tourism activities through food-based products, downstream products, and other unique products,” said Dr. Siti Nurain Muhmad, Project Leader for 2023 Financial Management and Digital Publicity Reinforcement Project held at UMT campus recently.
A total of 50 registered entrepreneurs around Terengganu were present to receive advice on sustaining their businesses and learn about digital businesses.
Dr. Siti Nurain said entrepreneurs especially those who have just started need to be given exposure on business strategies and proper financial management.
“In addition, the businesses need to be aligned to the current condition to stay relevant with the latest lifestyle.
“Therefore, the integration of technology needs to be given attention by all entrepreneurs, and it can be observed that social media has become a popular promotion medium since the outbreak of the Covid-19 in March 2020. Entrepreneurs need to make use of this opportunity.
She added that the local governments need to support the entrepreneurs by setting up business platforms and enhancing the uniqueness of potential sites to attract visitors.
“The current scenario is visitors like to frequent attractive and unique locations, and these locations become even more popular with visitors coming all year long when the locations have been made viral on social media.
“The local governments are also recommended to set up unique monuments or landmarks as part of the effort to attract domestic tourists,” she said.
INNOVATIVE PROJECT BY UMT HELPS IMPROVE LOCAL FISHERMEN’S INCOME
28/08/2023
Kuala Terengganu, 27 August 2023 – One of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)’s main focuses is to contribute towards society’s sustainable social and economic development through impactful knowledge transfer projects, in line with its mission of “Generating Knowledge for the Wellbeing of Society and Sustainability of the Environment” and its strategic location near the South China Sea.
UMT Vice Chancellor Profesor Dato` Dr. Mazlan Abd Ghaffar said UMT is aware of the issues regarding the country’s food security and has implemented an innovative project to increase income from fishery and the sustainability of fishery resources at Batu Rakit Beach, Terengganu, in an effort to ensure sufficient food supply.
He added that about 100 unjam, or fish aggregating devices, placed at Tok Jembal Beach waters will help to increase fishery resources, become a source of income for 2,500 fishermen nearby due to increased catch, help maintain biodiversity lives, and allow other marine lives to grow.
Innovative unjam introduced by UMT team led by Dr Fazrul Hisham Abd Aziz uses coconut leaves and teja leaves that can be replaced after a few months of use and at the same time the weight made from concrete material placed at the bottom becomes a home or a mini artificial reef on the sea bed. The weight will act as home for bottom fishes and will reduce the impact of trawlers’ tresspassing.
“The current unjam use sand-filled gunnies or cut plastic barrels as weights. This technique does not last as the unjam structure will deteriorate overtime.
“This project can attract various types of fishes to gather as early as a week and subsequently breed around the unjam. The effort by UMT has helped fishermen overcome the issues and problems relating to climate charge, ocean pollution, limited catch area, and extreme explo itation of fishery resources by those irresponsible parties such as those using trawlers,” he said.
As per Dr Fazrul Hisham, a survey conducted among a group of fishermen revealed that they have been facing problems in catching fish due to fish habitat being destroyed. Most fish shelters were damaged because of the tresspassing of trawlers along the coast and this has affected their income.
In addition, natural factors such as temperature change and a rise in sea level have also contributed to even worse effects on fish distribution.
He said the coastal area at the distance of 0-8 nautical miles is a buffer zone. This area is occupied by mature fishes that will come seasonally to reproduce and also becomes new habitats for all types of marine species.
He added that the unjam invented by him also functions as anti trawler nets. It will destroy the nets if they are used in an area where unjam is present.
Professor Mazlan also released 20 boats carrying 100 modern unjam that were submerged along the Tok Jembal waters with involvement from 30 fishermen nearby.
The project received fund from UMT’s Knowledge and Technology Assimilation Grant Scheme (KTAGS – Special Project) totalling RM20,000. This fund in managed by the Centre for Knowledge Transfer, Industry and Society Linkages
MaLTraC UMT hub for logistic data collection, backbone of country’s maritime sector development
Monday, 27/02/2023
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), a university focussing on marine science and aquatic resources, is constantly making efforts to help bridge the gap between Malaysia and developed countries, especially in the maritime sector.
As part of the efforts, the university renowned in the fields of maritime and oceanography has established a collaborative partnership with The Chartered Institute of Logistic and Transport Malaysia (CILT Malaysia) for the formation of the Malaysian Maritime Logistics and Transport Center (MaLTraC) at UMT.
The collaboration will enable MaLTraC to carry out data collection activities on the country’s logistics and research relating to logistics and transport.
According to UMT Vice Chancellor Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mazlan Abd Ghaffar, MaLTraC-CILT is a platform for implementing MaLTraC’s strategy of technological reinforcement and human capital development in the logistic ecosystem.
‘The presence of MaLTraC-CILT indirectly opens up the opportunity for UMT to highlight its expertise that can contribute to the maritime field through the National Freight Data Program and also offer services for the country’s logistic and transport industry through research, training, and discussions among academic and industry experts as well as professional bodies in a conducive and structured ecosystem.
He said the functions of the centre include consultation, teaching and learning (teaching port), and provision of world-class training centre and a marine platform using Automatic Identification System (AIS) to collect data of movement of trade vessels along the waters of the world including Malaysia.
“Functioning as a professional, certified training centre, MaLTRaC offers courses relating to development of high skills and development of human capital, with a focus on the maritime industry. This will be implemented in collaboration with the Department of Skills Development, Human Resources Development Corporation, and Department of Islamic Development Malaysia. The initiative is line with UMT’s niche and expertise.
According to Prof. Mazlan, MaLTRaC’s development and directions have become wider with participation of CILT Malaysia to include publications and international conferences as platforms for sharing academic and industry expertise.
“The collaboration between UMT and CILT Malaysia is needed to form a strategic and an innovative effort that will improve the transfer of knowledge regarding the industry and educational developments, which will bring the nation’s maritime in line with the Industrial Revolution 4 (IR4.0),” Prof. Mazlan said.
PENJANA KPT-CAP programme offers graduates employment opportunities
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) and PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as part of the effort to improve collaborations between academic institutions and industries to become more strategic.
The MoU was signed by UMT Vice Chancellor Professor Dato’ Dr. Mazlan Abd Ghaffar and PKT Logistics Chief Executive Officer cum Managing Director Dato’ Seri (Dr.) Michael Tio in a ceremony in Langkawi on 25 May in conjunction with LIMA 2023.
The collaboration covers several areas including training to students and staff, research, academic, knowledge transfer, and experience sharing, and is estimated to be worth over RM700,000.
The PENJANA KPT-CAP “Smart Logistician” 2023 programme has received full support from the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE). The programme with the cost of RM460,000 involves 100 students from the Bachelor of Management (Maritime) programme and several from other programmes at UMT, such as Bachelor of Management (Marketing), Bachelor of Computer Science with Maritime Informatics, Bachelor of Computer Science (Software Engineering), and Bachelor of Applied Science (Maritime Technology).
Also involved in the programme are Industry Centre of Excellence (Maritime Cluster) under the Centre for Knowledge Transfer, Industry and Community Linkages, and Centre for Entrepeneurship and Career (CEC), UMT.
The programme’s objective is to act as a platform for enhancing particpants’ skills through hands-on and work-based learning (WBL), which will increase their added value. In addition, qualified participants maybe offered immediate employment once the programme has ended.
The two-pronged programme was specially developed to include five training modules, namely logistics and transport, warehouse operations, safety, health, and freight, and was conducted for 15 days at The Ship Campus, Penang, beginning 1 August. A special module called Fundamental of IoT in Production was also conducted, with RM90,000 contribution from PKT Logistics Group, to provide exposure regarding the use of Internet of Things technology in manufacturing operations.
PKT Logistics Group also offers an award in the form of cash to UMT students. The PKT Excellence Award, worth RM5000, will be given to three students every year. Winning students will also be offered employment at PKT Logistics Group. The award involves the academic programmes under the Faculty of Maritime Studies, UMT.
PKT Logistics Group has also offered its facilities at the Ship Campus for students’ programme, which include among others a hostel, lecture halls, and a library.
UMT researchers with expertise in the fields of shipping and logistics operations have the opportunity to conduct research that will help improve the efficiency of administration among logistics companies in Malaysia.
Strategic research by UMT researchers, with involvement from Malaysia’s industry players and support from Malaysia Productivity Corporation, will help the country realize its aspiration of being ASEAN’s main logistics hub.
UMT distributes business start-up funds to student entrepreneurs
Tuesday, 21/03/2023
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) has introduced a business financial aid scheme for its students.
The initiative called the UMT Student Business Start-up Fund Aid Programme is an extension of the Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship course, which is one of the core courses UMT students are required to take.
UMT Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and International) Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Zamri Ibrahim said the university’s management has decided to offer the scheme to support the students’ interest and university’s aspiration.
“We received feedback from students that they are interested in starting a business but lack capital,” he said.
“So as an extension of the Fundamentals of entrepreneurship course, we have set aside some allocation and this is to be used as business capital and given to students who already have a business strategy or a potential product, and these students will be mentored by coaches who are entrepreneurship lecturers.
“The programme completes the UMT entrepreneurship ecosystem, where the students are not only exposed to the entrepreneurship theories but also given the opportunity to turn ideas into businesses and use e-commerce platforms to help them sell their products, in line with the current advancement of the IR4.0 technology.”
He added the initiative is considered the best approach for changing students’ perspectives, to motivate them to become job creators, in line with the MOHE Entrepreneurship Action Plan (2021-2025).
Meanwhile, one of the recipients of the business start-up fund, Siti Anis Sabrina Sukri, was excited to have been selected for the programme.
“I started to be involved in business a few years ago, selling various products,” she said. “Now I sell clothes such as baju kurung, kurta, blouses, suits, head scarves and other accessories.
“God willing, I will try to double my returns and expand my business with this fund.
“This aid means so much to students such as myself who wish to run a business to support our study, and it should be continued as an incentive for other students to venture into business and entrepreneurship.”
The second-year student from the Bachelor of Economics (Natural Resources) with Honours programme was among the 13 selected recipients of the business start-up fund totalling RM13,000.
UMT Works with Its Strategic Partners to Produce Student Digital Entrepreneurs
UMT, Sultan Mizan Royal Foundation, and Telekom Malaysia Foundation have recently implemented a special programme for university students through a strategic collaboration between the three. The unique programme is called Terengganu Student Digital Entrepreneur Programme (SISDIT), and it is the first of its kind in the state. The implementation of SISDIT was made possible when the three organizations earlier signed a Memorandum of Understanding.
Under the five-year MOU, selected UMT students are invited to undergo the programme and are recognized as Digital Entrepreneurs after its completion. Students are taught using structured and strategic training that corresponds to the latest digital development. The modules are prepared by the appointed training provider Multimedia University.
The running of SISDIT is coordinated by UMT’s Career and Entrepreneurship Centre (CEC), which is responsible for strengthening the entrepreneurship ecosystem among graduates to improve their quality as they head into the work world after completing their studies. The first batch of UMT students completed the training after undergoing SISDIT at MMU for 20 days from August to September. The seven students are from the Faculty of Business, Economics, and Social Development (4), the Faculty of Science and Marine Environment (1), the Faculty of Ocean Engineering Technology and Informatics (1), and the Faculty of Maritime Studies (1). Two other universities, namely the Multimedia University and Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, also signed the said MOU. The signing was witnessed by His Royal Highness Al-Wathiqu Billah Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin ibni Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah, Sultan of Terengganu and also the patron of Sultan Mizan Royal Foundation.
UMT-INDUSTRY COLLABORATION GENERATES COUNTRY’S PROFESSIONAL WORKFORCE
Sunday, 17/12/2023
A total of 130 industry players were honoured during an appreciation ceremony for their role and contributions to the university’s development and achievements.
The Industry Partner Appreciation Ceremony 2023 (MPRI’23) held biyearly is a platform used by Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) to further foster networking between the university and industry players.
UMT Vice Chancellor Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mazlan Abd Ghaffar said the event was held to honour all those involved in enhancing the university’s agenda, including academics.
“MPRI’23 was intended to appreciate and acknowledge industry players that have helped UMT tremendously in carrying out the university’s initiatives for talent enhancement, student development, teaching and learning excellence, as well as research and innovation breakthroughs.
“Also, UMT academics who have made possible the collaboration with the industries were also honoured in the event.
Prof. Mazlan said UMT has implemented various initiatives to ensure the readiness of a highly skilled workforce.
“The industry’s involvement in higher learning institutions is greatly welcomed to help with the efforts of increasing the rate of graduates with premium salaries.
He said the university’s priority is strategic collaborations that aim to solidify operations and technology that will provide benefits and long-term returns to all parties and the country.
“We realize that universities have a big responsibility to help the country produce human capital that is outstanding, very knowledgeable, and highly skilled.
He added that five initiatives on student enhancement have been implemented as added values to student development, namely Smart Logistician Programme, Work Based Learning (WBL) Programme, Integrated PhD (IPhD) Programme, Industry Scholar Appointment, and CEO@Faculty Programme.
UMT has completed 95 projects in collaboration with industry partners through industry research grants amounting to RM7,580,259.98.
At the ceremony, several awards were also presented, including Industry Project Award, Academy-Industry Award, Industry Partner Award, and CEO@Faculty Appreciation.
Those receiving appreciation for the CEO@Faculty category were Datuk Idham Nawawi (CELCOMDIGI BERHAD), Laksamana Pertama (B) Dato’ Ir. (Dr.) Ahmad Murad Omar (OMAHAMS CORPORATION), Marco Neelsen (PELABUHAN TANJUNG PELEPAS SDN BHD), Wan Nadhri Wan Fauzi (BLUE ARCHIPELAGO BERHAD), and Datuk Seri Saripuddin Kassim (former Secretary General of the Ministry of Transport).
Prof. Mazlan also launched the Siswa Mall programme to further encourage students who conduct businesses through eCommerce platforms.
“Siswa Mall is a collaboration programme between UMT and CelcomDigi Berhad aimed at training students to widen their businesses through the use of eCommerce platforms such as Shopee, Lazada, Ebay, and Etsy.”
He said the implementation is in line with the government’s aspiration of producing student entrepreneurs that possess the traits of competitive digital entrepreneurs who will contribute to the country’s economic stability.
Smart Logistician is a programme implemented in collaboration with PKT Logistics Group Sdn. Bhd. to provide industrial training and employment opportunities to UMT students.
Work Based Learning (WBL) programme is one in which UMT provides modules and academic needs related to academic programmes at the university in collaboration with various parties, such as Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas Sdn Bhd, Konsortium Pelabuhan Kuantan, Salihin, MHNEXUS Sdn Bhd, Uniti Office Sdn Bhd, and other related industries.’
Integrated PhD (IPhD) programme offers industry players in the field of maritime the opportunity to further their studies comprehensively at the Master’s and PhD levels to improve their expertise.
Industry Scholar Appointment is a programme whereby industry players are appointed from various sectors and fields to help the university improve its quality and determine the relevance of courses and academic programmes offered as well as academic activities and community services.
CEO@Faculty Programme 1.0 focuses on the sharing of experience and expertise by figures from the industry and public agencies such as CelomDigi Berhad, Omahams Corporation Sdn Bhd, Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas Sdn. Bhd., Blue Archipelago Berhad, and Secretary General of the Ministry of Transport.
Meanwhile, CEO@Faculty Programme 2.0 offers the opportunity for academics and nonacademics to go for an attachment at the industry for six months. The main objective of the programme is to provide a platform that exposes the operations of an industry.
The involved staff will receive personal guidance from the CEOs and will play a role in establishing high-impact industry-university collaborations.
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