By Saiful Bahri Kamaruddin
Pix Saiful Bahri Kamaruddin

BANGI, August 4, 2015 –  The Centre For Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium-sized Entrepreneurs Development of The National University of Malaysia (UKM-CESMED) held its Open Day in conjunction with Aidil Fitri, here today.

A host of Hari Raya delicacies were served to visitors who flocked since it opened at 11 am, while some SMEs showcased their products and sold their wares at this event.

The open day programme began with a briefing which covered four workshops, namely Public Private Research Network, Halal products, Wellness products and writing case studies.

In her briefing UKM-CESMED Director Prof Datin Dr Shamshubariah Ramlee said in addition to teaching and training, it also organizes  collaboration with the residential colleges, faculties and external agencies.

Most events, including the Open Day, are held at the site of UKM-CESMED in UKM-MTDC Helical Gold, which is the incubator of entrepreneurship and training, and at the Faculty of Economics and Management.

Dr Shamshubariah said the main objective of  UKM-CESMED’s establishment of is to foster the spirit of entrepreneurship among students through various courses using modules that have been modified from those devised by the Stevens’ Institute of Technology, USA. Academics and trainers are given training before they teach the students.

She said Malaysians should change their existing attitude that entrepreneurship and university education do not mix nor related to each other.

“Many people think that engaging in business does not require a university education. The reason is that we need role models or icons if we want the university to become more entrepreneurial,” she added.

Meanwhile, prominent visitors including Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Prof Datuk Dr Mazlin Mokhtar dropped in to mingle with UKM-CESMED staff and SME entrepreneurs  along with Dr Shamshubariah.

They were accompanied by the Director of Corporate Communication Center Prof Datin Dr Norizan Abdul Razak and Senior Fellow Datuk Dr Johari Salleh, who is acknowledged as the country’s music laureate.