KUCHING – Companies which had engaged students from a university as consultants are impressed with the outcome of the venture, saying they have gained new ideas and a fresh perspective in the running of their businesses.
The final-year business undergraduates from Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus were engaged by the companies as part of the university’s Capstone Project, designed to expose students to real industry work.
Under the 12-week project, the students assumed the role of business analysts and consultants, and worked on issues identified by the companies.
Supervised by a panel of academics with the relevant expertise and industry experience, the students worked in small teams on the issues before recommending specific solutions.
“I am impressed at how they can identify the untapped market of the boat and logistics industry,” said Bonny Lee, managing director of Liqui Moly (EM) Sdn Bhd, a motor oil company.
“The idea of using survey forms to get market feedback to collect data is very good. The students have done a great job as a whole,” said Lee, referring to the use of social networking to enhance the company’s branding in East Malaysia proposed by the students.
The team assigned to Liqui Moly had to produce an effective marketing report and a strategy that could be implemented on social networking sites to enhance the branding of the product as well as identifying the untapped market.
The introduction of relevant products that could fulfil both dealer and consumer needs was also part of the requirement.
“I like some of the practical ideas proposed by the students and I will get my sales team to implement it soon”, said Nick Wong, Director of Temasek Cartel Sdn Bhd, the marketing arm of Regal Group, a property and development company.
Swinburne’s capstone projects provide its students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and expertise to challenges faced by businesses. It allows them to identify their strengths, develop project management, team work and personal skills, and to apply their learning to real-world projects.
Students involved found the recent experience satisfying. Said Jessica Ling Yien Ping, “The project not only helped me gain a better understanding of the real competitive world, but also taught me many lessons. For example, the project required my team to contact various suppliers, contractors and government agencies to gather information for producing the sound brand awareness and sales strategy proposal to our client.”
Companies interested to take part in the project may contact Alex Ng of the School of Business and Design, Swinburne Sarawak, on 082-416 353 or email hng@swinburne.edu.my