In this challenging era, the ability to earn means of support through entrepreneurship is an important element, especially for women who also play a role in financially supporting the family’s needs.

Through its platform of knowledge transfer to communities, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) has taken the proactive step to organize an entrepreneurship training course on home-based food products for a community in Terengganu in an effort to help the participants expand their businesses.

After two years, the participants can finally a smile on their face when the guidance and instructions provided by the relevant agencies including UMT have born fruits. The training package offered has produced entrepreneurs that are not only able to stand on their feet but also contribute towards the economy of their family and local community.

Among the outstanding participants during the the course is Wan Adiela Azwa Wan Ab Rahman, a 31-year old mother. She has been focusing on creating pudding products. During the course, she was able to grasp the techniques of effective digital marketing, improving product quality, and widening customer network. Now her pudding products have not only won the hearts of the local community but also customers in other districts in the state.

Tengku Norniziah Tengku Abdullah, 42, is also one of the participants who has successfully set up bakery and bread products. With the guidance she received from the training, Tengku Norniziah was able to expand her business, which she started at her home. Now she has a bakery shop complete with the latest equipment. Her effort has not only help increase her family’s income but also provided job opportunities for the local residents.

Meanwhile, Rosnawati Mohd Yanun, a single mother without any basic knowledge of entrepreneurship and business, has proven that nothing is impossible with the right support and guidance.

“Before joining the training I was not involved in any business. However, with guidance from UMT in the aspects of marketing, advertising, packaging, equipment, and business model development, I now own a shop that sells various food products.

Her success has also led her to being selected as the best participant among the 20 that took part.

Overall, the participants experienced an income increase of 229 percent after joining the training. The success achieved by Wan Adiela, Tengku Norniziah, and Rosnawati serves as proof that entrepreneurship courses not only help improve the quality of life but also have the ability to close the economic gap among the low-income earners in Malaysia.

This kind of guidance programme serves a proof of the importance of training and support in helping to promote entrepreneurship among those in need and the role played by educational institutions in producing entrepreneurs who are competitive and able to provide positive impacts to the economy of the country and society.

The huge increase in income has also enabled the participants to improve the quality of their lives and meet the needs of their family, in line with the concept of Malaysia Madani introduced by the Prime Minister.

The success achieved by the participants serves a proof of the effectiveness of the course organized by Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) in collaboration with several other agencies. Comprehensive guidance on important aspects of entrepreneurship, such as marketing, advertising, package, and equipment has allowed the participants to start their own business or expand it sustainably and competitively.

Meanwhile, UMT Vice Chancellor Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Zamri said the university always strives to bridge the gap between it and the community, in line with the slogan University for Society.

“This project is one of the efforts implemented by UMT through its Centre for Knowledge Transfer, Industry and Community Linkages and UMT Holdings to encourage activities relating to transfer of knowledge to the community through high-impact projects in order to improve the quality of life. UMT intends to enhance the knowledge transfer activities involving the community through active participation by UMT staff, the industry, and agencies, in line with the slogan University for Society,” he said.

Prepared by:

Amirul Salam Hasan

Corporate Communications Office

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

Published by:

Corporate Communications Office

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu