UTM Graduate Wins Overall Best Team Champion at Axiata ULDP 2025

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PUCHONG, Aug 25 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) continues to uphold its reputation for producing future-ready graduates as Lau Yu Xuan, from the Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering (FKT), together with her team One in a Minion, was awarded the prestigious title of Overall Best Team Champion at the Axiata Young Talent Programme – University Leadership Development Programme (ULDP) Cohort 15.

Organised by Axiata Foundation, ULDP is one of the flagship initiatives under the Axiata Young Talent Programme (AYTP). It is designed to nurture future leaders through intensive leadership training, professional development, and industry exposure. The programme collaborates with organisations such as the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), International Business Machines (IBM), TalentCorp, and NAMA Foundation — ensuring participants gain insights aligned with both corporate and national talent agendas.

This year’s ULDP drew 807 applicants nationwide, with only 73 students selected for the rigorous 14-day programme. Participants underwent five intensive business simulations, leadership workshops, and networking sessions with industry professionals — all aimed at sharpening strategic thinking, teamwork, and decision-making skills.

At the closing ceremony, Mohamad Kamal Nawawi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Axiata Foundation, praised the cohort’s achievements:

“ULDP is not just a leadership camp, but a platform to shape Malaysia’s next generation of leaders. The resilience, creativity, and teamwork demonstrated by this cohort show that our young talents are ready to take on future challenges. We encourage more students to step forward and seize opportunities such as ULDP and the Young CEO Development Programme (YCDP).”

Reflecting on her journey, Lau Yu Xuan described the programme as transformative:

“As a chemical engineering graduate stepping into a leadership-focused environment, ULDP was truly outside my comfort zone. It taught me that leadership is not defined by titles, but by empathy, collaboration, and resilience. This has been a transformative journey that I will always treasure.”

She also expressed gratitude to the UTM Student Representative Council (MPP) for providing transportation support, and to UTM for enabling her participation in the programme.

The success of ULDP Cohort 15 underscores Axiata Foundation’s commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s leadership talent pipeline, while reaffirming UTM’s role in nurturing graduates who are well-prepared to take on leadership roles in industry and society.