KUCHING: In the latest chapter of Swinburne University of Technology (Swinburne) Sarawak Campus’ Business Consulting Project, students were empowered to unleash their creativity, unveiling a range of innovative strategies for the commercialisation of passion fruit cultivation.
Under the guidance of Dr Gabriel Wee, a lecturer in Entrepreneurship at Swinburne, students engaged in a hands-on experience which provided them with invaluable insights into real-world business challenges to hone their skills in problem-solving, collaboration and strategic planning.
“Dr Wee is renowned for pioneering the Authentic Entrepreneurship Pedagogy (AEP) in the dynamic field of entrepreneurial education. He emphasises the profound importance of endeavours in any project, which offer students the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings,” it said through a statement.
Rooted in the pillars of Authentic Learning, Industry Connection and Collaborative Learning, the AEP framework ignites entrepreneurial spirit, fuels student engagement, champions teaching excellence, drives research innovation and propels Swinburne Sarawak towards its “moon shots” under its 2025 Vision.
The business students, in collaboration with SKH Farming Kuching, a local farm dedicated to cultivating passion fruit, has embarked on a comprehensive analysis of the supply and demand dynamics of passion fruit in Sarawak.
“The teams were tasked not only with providing recommendations to solve the problems faced by SKH Farming but also with creating a novel product to further commercialise the passion fruit grown at the farm,” it said.
“Through this collaborative effort, the students were able to generate innovative solutions and translate their initial concepts into tangible and actionable business plans, gaining valuable skills that will serve them well in their future endeavors,” added the statement.
The Business Consulting Project with SKH Farming culminated in a final presentation which featured a distinguished panel of judges, each with unique expertise.
Joseph Ting, founder of Zoso Music and director of Design Alley, brought extensive experience in business and entrepreneurship.
His role as a council member of the Sarawak E-Commerce Association underscores his deep understanding of digital business landscape, offering invaluable insights into the students’ projects.
Samuel Wong, managing director of Filmco Sdn Bhd, contributed over a decade of expertise in commercial film production, provides critical perspectives on branding and marketing strategies.
Leo Tang, a passionate advocate for Sarawak Coffee and a key member of REBORN and KopiLab, is dedicated to promoting responsible tourism and sustainable practices. He offers essential guidance on integrating sustainability into business models.
The final presentation was the culmination of the students’ efforts; showcasing their business acumen, resilience and teamwork.
The students, divided into five groups, presented a myriad of solutions. Their innovative proposals ranged from big data correlation matrixes to market research surveys and producing various products to commercialise the passion fruit cultivation, whilst keeping in mind the current trends, such as passion fruit jam, passion fruit boba, syrup, passion fruit honey, gelato and the traditional Sarawak beverage, tuak.
Their solutions were not just limited to food and beverage products but also included skincare items and agrotourism ventures.
Further solutions included strategies on how to promote branding and help the collaborative client perform market research.
The students not only presented their products theoretically; they produced tangible examples of their proposed products, staying true to the client by sourcing all passion fruit exclusively from SKH Farming.
This hands-on approach provided compelling evidence of the viability of their solutions and showcased their commitment to aligning closely with the client’s resources and vision.
These projects were aligned with the AEP framework, demonstrating the students’ resourcefulness in securing partnerships with home-based businesses and local SMEs such as Beez Gelato for the gelato and Bad Cat Borneo for the tuak.
Dr Wee expressed his pride in the students’ achievements, noting that the project exemplifies the core values of the AEP framework.
“This project not only equips our students with theoretical knowledge but also immerses them in the practical realities of entrepreneurship. It is a testament to their creativity, determination and ability to collaborate with industry partners.” said Dr Wee. For more information on Swinburne Sarawak, visit its website (www.swinburne.edu.my), Facebook page (@swinburnesarawak), Instagram page (@swinburnesarawak), Twitter page (@Swinburne_Swk), TikTok page (@swinburnesarawak) or YouTube channel (Swinburne Sarawak).
