KUCHING – Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus’ Faculty of Business, Design and Arts is pioneering a new initiative by integrating the Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak (TEGAS) program into its entrepreneurship units.
This integration creates a dynamic environment that fosters creativity, innovation and resilience, immersing students in a startup ecosystem designed to equip them with practical skills for tackling today’s challenges and seizing new opportunities.
The program brings together a diverse group of students studying entrepreneurship from around the world, including Sweden, China, Bangladesh and Indonesia, alongside local students from Sarawak and Malaysia. This diversity enriches the learning experience, as students gain unique perspectives and valuable tools for navigating the entrepreneurial landscape.
Seamless integration with Swinburne’s curriculum
At Swinburne Sarawak, entrepreneurship is more than just a theoretical subject; it is a dynamic learning journey.
The TEGAS program is seamlessly woven into the curriculum, enriching students’ understanding from the early stages of ideation through to pitching and prototyping. This approach supports Swinburne’s commitment to experiential learning, ensuring that students not only learn the principles of entrepreneurship but also apply them in real-world contexts.
Dr Gabriel Wee Wei En, Head of the Department of Executive and Entrepreneurship at Swinburne Sarawak and a Lecturer for entrepreneurship units, shares his vision, “We believe that integrating TEGAS’ vibrant startup ecosystem into our curriculum makes entrepreneurship learning as real as possible for our students. By experiencing the complete startup journey, from ideation to actual market validation, our students are empowered to turn their ideas into impactful ventures. Thank you to Afida and the team from TEGAS for their support and collaboration.”
The #InnovateSarawak Speaker Series: Transforming ideas into impact
The #InnovateSarawak Speaker Series, held at the TEGAS Digital Village, serves as a nexus where aspiring entrepreneurs can learn from industry leaders. Featuring speakers such as Ahmad Azuar Zainuddin, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Satu Creative, and Ken Lau, a seasoned startup advisor, the series offers invaluable insights into turning ideas into impactful innovations.
The sessions cover a wide range of topics from ideation to business model optimisation using tools such as the Business Model Canvas, providing students with practical frameworks that they can apply in their entrepreneurial journey.
#InnovateSarawak Speaker Series 2: Business Modelling.
Supporting alumni startups in Sarawak
The collaboration with TEGAS extends beyond current students to Swinburne alumni. One such alumni startup, CtrlD, is now housed at TEGAS Digital Village, further bridging the gap between academia and industry. This connection provides a thriving environment where alumni can leverage resources and mentorship to scale their businesses, supporting a continuous cycle of innovation within Sarawak.
TEGAS also provides a robust support network for current student startups. Notably, the team from Swinburne Sarawak, comprised of Brian Chung, Sim Tiak Hian and Joel Wong, emerged as runners-up at Entrecamp Malaysia with their innovative startup, Virturep. Another standout, Dominic Matthew’s startup, KuCHARGE, achieved first runner-up at LaunchX, further exemplifying the impact of the TEGAS-supported entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Aligning with Sarawak’s vision: PCDS 2030
This collaboration aligns closely with Sarawak’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which aims to drive economic growth, digital transformation and sustainable development in the region.
By embedding real-world startup experiences into its curriculum, Swinburne Sarawak is playing a vital role in nurturing a new generation of entrepreneurs equipped to contribute to Sarawak’s future as an innovation-driven economy.
The integrated TEGAS support and Swinburne’s entrepreneurship curriculum promise a bright future for students, where entrepreneurship is not only studied but actively practised. This holistic approach aims to prepare students as successful entrepreneurs even before graduation, bridging the gap between education and industry and fuelling the entrepreneurial ecosystem across Sarawak.
For more information on Swinburne Sarawak, visit its website, Facebook page (@swinburnesarawak), Instagram page (@swinburnesarawak), Twitter page (@Swinburne_Swk), TikTok page (@swinburnesarawak) or YouTube channel (Swinburne Sarawak).