UTM sparks entrepreneurial passion among youth

Logaiswari Indiran

Johor Bahru, May 7 – The Faculty of Management, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) brought its university-industry-community engagement mission to life through the Young Innovators BMC Challenge 2025. Reflecting the theme “From University to Community: Sparking Entrepreneurial Impact”, this initiative empowered 37 students from 10 secondary schools in the Kulai district to explore entrepreneurship using the Business Model Canvas (BMC) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools. Organized under the Knowledge Transfer Program (KTP) by the Faculty of Management, UTM, the challenge was designed not just as a competition but as a real-world learning experience.

Throughout the program, students worked in teams with their school cooperatives (also known as ‘koperasi sekolah’) to identify basic challenges such as unsold stock, limited product variety, or unattractive display setups. They conducted market research involving their peers, teachers, and cooperative managers to understand customer needs. With guidance from organizer and mentors, they proposed practical solutions like bundling popular items, improving product placement, and offering pre-order forms to reduce waste and increase sales.

The journey began with a spark at Phase 1: Awareness, where students took their first steps into the world of entrepreneurship. They were introduced to the fundamentals of business, explored the BMC, and discovered how AI tools could support innovative thinking. With curiosity ignited, they moved into Phase 2: Market Research & Planning. Here, they stepped out of their comfort zones, interviewing cooperative managers, surveying their peers and teachers, and uncovering real challenges within their school cooperatives. Based on their findings, they formulated strategies and action plans to increase sales, ranging from product bundling, pricing adjustments, and packaging to promotional campaigns and better product displays. Armed with these insights, they entered Phase 3: Preparation & BMC Pitching, where ideas turned into action. Students worked in teams to craft creative, data-driven business proposals. Their final test came in the form of a pitch, delivered confidently to a panel of UTM experts and Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA), supported by AI-generated visuals and persuasive storytelling. The final chapter, Phase 4: Reflection, will be held soon. Selected teams will be invited to share their experiences, lessons learnt, and business outcomes through documentation and peer-sharing sessions, ensuring that the knowledge created during this journey is not only celebrated but also passed forward.

Held at UTM, the final pitching session showcased students presenting clear and practical business ideas. Their suggestions reflected creativity grounded in real observations, such as creating bundled snack deals, using eye-catching packaging, and introducing basic digital ordering systems. Some teams also utilized simple AI-assisted tools to analyze survey results and support their proposals. The top teams received trophies and certificates, but more importantly, all students left with new skills, stronger confidence, and a deeper understanding of entrepreneurship.

Students from SMK Kulai Besar presenting their business model

Esteemed judges Assoc. Prof. Dr. Corrienna Abdul Talib and Ts. Dr. Azlin Abd Jamil from UTM, as well as Ahmad Murad Mat Hanafiah from IRDA, lending their expertise at the Young Innovators BMC Challenge 2025

Students pitch their ideas confidently to the judging panel

Teachers reported noticeable improvements in student communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. School principals highlighted the program’s relevance to real-life business contexts and praised its role in nurturing critical thinking among students. According to Deputy Dean (Research, Innovation & Development), Faculty of Management, UTM, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mahadi Bahari, “This program reminds us that the seeds of entrepreneurship must be sown early, while students are still curious, fearless, and full of big dreams. When given the right tools and support, they begin to see themselves not just as learners but as future innovators and changemakers.”

The competition saw strong performances across both pitching and poster categories. For BMC Pitching, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Senai took first place, followed by SMK Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra and SMK Taman Putri. In the Poster Showcase, SMK Sultan Ibrahim secured first place, with SMK Senai and SMK Taman Putri earning second and third. Special awards included Best Jury’s Choice (SMK Senai), Best BMC Design (SMK Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra), and Best Presenter (SMK Taman Putri).

The Champion-SMK Senai wins First Place at the BMC Challenge 2025

SMK Sultan Ibrahim wins First Prize for Best Poster at BMC Challenge 2025

Kulai District Education Officer, Tn. Hj. Razali Tamadi, commended the initiative as a powerful educational tool. “The Young Innovators Challenge using the BMC, held for the first time for secondary school students in the Kulai district, has proven to be a truly transformative initiative. It offered students meaningful exposure to the world of entrepreneurship, sparking both interest and self-confidence. Their ability to articulate ideas with clarity, creativity, and charisma reflects the program’s effectiveness in cultivating future-ready, entrepreneurial-minded youth. We commend UTM for leading such an inspiring and impactful effort.”

Tn. Hj. Razali Tamadi commends UTM’s efforts in nurturing early-stage entrepreneurial skills among youth through the BMC Challenge

To further support learning, an interactive augmented reality (AR) eBook titled “BMC Made Simple: Helping Students Improve Cooperative Sales” will soon be published, serving as a practical guide and inspiration hub for students and educators alike.

This initiative was more than just an event; it was a spark. A spark that showed how young minds, when given the right tools and guidance, especially through UTM’s structured approach and expert mentoring, can develop into thoughtful problem solvers and future entrepreneurs. As student Mohammad Danish Junaide from SMK Senai shared, “I never realized how much planning went into the ‘koperasi’. Now I understand why some products don’t sell and how important it is to know your customers.”

‘Koperasi’ SMK Senai shows steady sales growth after strategy implementation

A heartfelt thank you goes to all participating schools and students, the dedicated teacher-mentors, and the facilitators who supported each step of the journey. Appreciation is also extended to our valued partners, the Kulai District Education Office (PPD Kulai) and the UTM Centre for Community and Industry Network (CCIN), for their continued collaboration. Special thanks to our esteemed judges: university lecturer from the Faculty of Educational Sciences and Technology (FEST) at UTM, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Corrienna Abdul Talib; assistant registrar at the International Student and Scholar Services (I3S), UTM International, Ts. Dr. Azlin Abd Jamil; and the vice president of Technology & Innovation at IRDA, Ahmad Murad Mat Hanafiah. Their insights, encouragement, and commitment played a vital role in guiding and inspiring the next generation of young entrepreneurs.

This initiative was proudly led by Dr. Logaiswari Indiran and her team, Dr. Umar Haiyat Abdul Kohar, Dr. Noraindah Abdullah Fahim, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aslan Amat Senin.

Together, we celebrate not just the end of a program, but the beginning of a long-term vision: nurturing entrepreneurial mindsets today to shape the changemakers of tomorrow.