As part of the effort to produce top quality graduates, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) has set up Serambi Niaga, an innovative centre aimed at encouraging students to venture in entrepreneurship. The initiative will not only increase the graduates’ employability but also contribute the development of holistic values among the students.

Serambi Niaga offers many kinds of assistance to students who are interested in becoming active in entrepreneurship. This includes an interest-free loan to enable students to start their business without having to worry about big financial commitment. There are other types of assistance that make up the complete UMT entrepreneurship ecosystem, such as provision of platforms, dropship network, sales agents, training, and business guidance by lecturers.

The idea to set up a centre that functions like a business lab came from UMT Deputy Vice Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) Prof. Dr. Mohd Izani Mohd Zain. The goal is to equip UMT students with added values related to entrepreneurship and agricultural skills.

According to Prof. Mohd Izani, the effort by the Residential College and the Centre for Graduate Entrepreneurship and Employability (UMT-GEM) is in line with the university’s agenda of producing graduates who not only seek employment but also create employment opportunities.

“Serambi Niaga allows students to hone their entrepreneurship skills during their time at the university, thus helping them become more prepared to face the challenges of the job market,” he said.

“We provide a living laboratory, sustainable entrepreneurship ecosystem, learning modules, student leadership hub, cross programmes, alumni collaborations, and new product experiment platform at Serambi Niaga, and these are offered to the students here. They will gain direct exposure to the reality of the business world, including marketing strategies, financial management, and business network development”.

One of the involved students, Nur Amiera Zulkifli, 21, from the Bachelor of Aquaculture Science, said students should grab the opportunities provided by Serambi Niaga.

“Serambi Niaga allows us to gain the experience of becoming a real entrepreneur, beginning the first step until the product is ready to be sold. This experience is hard to obtain but it is offered here,” she said.

The establishment of Serambi Niaga proves UMT’s commitment in producing graduates who are balanced and competitive and in upholding higher education’s transformation through innovative and dynamic approaches.

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Corporate Communications Office

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu