KUCHING: Industry experts and academics from institutions of higher learning in Malaysia and abroad played the role of mentors to groom finalists of the Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus (Swinburne) ‘Swin Pitch Business Idea Competition 2021’ competition, recently.
The university said experts and academics were invited to share their knowledge and experience with the 30 finalists at a one-day online workshop for the ‘final pitch’ preparation where the winners will be selected at the end of this month.
“The finalists must produce innovative solutions in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and rethink products, processes and services from its production and distribution to consumption that will create jobs, stimulate economies, reimagine supply chains, and improve outcomes for 10 million people by 2030.
“Additionally, their business proposals must incorporate the United Nation’s 17 integrated Sustainable Development Goals,” it said in a press release on Tuesday (Sept 21).
It said those coaching the finalists at the workshop include Facebook Blueprint Lead Trainer Jonathan Wong; Tanjungpura University, Indonesia, Faculty of Economy and Business academic Dr Helma Malini; SEGi Group of Colleges lecturer Haritharan Devanthran; and Hubridy Company managing director Alvin Lee.
“Swinburne Sarawak Faculty of Business, Design and Arts lecturers Gabriel Wee, Irving Ting and Kevin Tan were also involved as speakers,” it added.
Swinburne said the competition organised by its Faculty of Business, Design and Arts is divided into Category A for Swinburne Sarawak students and alumni, and Category B for secondary school students aged between 15 and 19, both of which must be a team of four individuals.
“The winning team of Category A will be invited to launch a start-up under the mentorship of Swinburne Innovation Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the R&D (research and development) and commercialisation arm of Swinburne Sarawak.
“Apart from receiving a seed funding of RM4,000, they will have access to SWIM’s network of investors and mentors, and receive coaching on starting a business, as an office space for their business venture at SWIM, worth RM6,000, for up to a year.
“The team that wins Category B will be awarded cash prizes ranging from RM300 to RM800, and scholarships of RM1,000 and RM3,000 per student,” it explained.
