Miri – 24 October 2017 – Hundreds of students and staff of Curtin University, Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) thronged Faculty of Business building to support its inaugural Entrepreneurship Carnival recently.
Organised by the Faculty of Business to promote entrepreneurship and inculcate an entrepreneurial spirit amongst students, the 2-day carnival saw the participation of 11 small and medium sized enterprises (SME) in Miri, some of which are owned and operated by Curtin Malaysia alumni.
In addition, there were nine stalls operated by students of the Faculty of Business as part of an ‘Entrepreneurship Challenge’ organised in conjunction with the carnival. The students had to form business entities, submit business plans and execute them by conducting business during the carnival.
Products and services showcased by the participating enterprises and students included locally-produced fashion accessories, essential oils, organic soap, and a variety of cottage industry foodstuffs and handicrafts, as well as services like e-sport services, hairstyling, nail art and foot massage by blind masseurs. There was also a wide range of food and beverages on sale.
Dean of the Faculty of Business, Associate Professor Pauline Ho, said she hoped students and staff alike gained valuable insights into entrepreneurship by visiting the carnival and patronising the stalls.
Associate Professor Ho also hoped that the students participating in the entrepreneurship challenge benefitted from the hands-on experience and practical insights into how businesses can be best managed and positioned for success.
The carnival was launched by Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Beena Giridharan who, in her opening speech, remarked that it was an excellent initiative by the Faculty of Business in line with the emergence of entrepreneurship in Malaysia, as well as a good platform to engage and motivate young people to develop their leadership and entrepreneurial mindset and skills.
“Initiatives like this are very much aligned to Curtin’s Transforming Learning initiative aimed at increasing focus on leadership and fine-tuning students’ learning experience to ensure the skills and expertise of our graduates are aligned with the changing demands of employers,” she said.
The carnival also included a talk entitled ‘Entrepreneurial Leadership: The Violet Leader Emerging Leaders in a Digital Age’ by David Chew, Vice-President of the ASEAN-China Entrepreneurs’ Association and Sarawak Entrepreneur Association, which was well-attended by students and staff.
Curtin University Malaysia 科廷大学（澳洲大学马来西亚分校）
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Prof Giridharan (in black) with Associate Professor Pauline Ho (nearest camera) and Deputy Dean Dr Shamsul Kamariah Abdullah at one of the stalls.
A stall by local entrepreneur showcasing fashion accessories.
A student-run stall selling deli-style food.
