By Nurul Haziqah Abdul Halim
Pix by Izwan Azman

BANGI, 23 Oct 2012 – The Ministry of Higher Education has reviewed its entrepreneurship module introduced to students in all public universities since 2007 to include more practical components.

The review was found to be necessary as the earlier module aimed at inculcating entrepreneurship culture among university students was found to be too theoretical.

Its Minister, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the review was to ensure it is effective in propagating the entrepreneurial spirit and values among university students.

He said this in his speech when closing the national level Campus Entrepreneurial Programme at the Graduate Management Centre i the UKM campus here today. His speech was read by Director of the Entrepreneurship and SME Development (CESMED) of The National University of Malaysia (UKM), Professor Dr. Mohd Fauzi Mohd Jani.

Among subjects discussed was that entrepreneurship development should be holistic and balanced having both the theoretical and practical aspects.

A new module guide “Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship” has also been published to serve as the basic text for the subject in all public universities.

Among the improvements made are that the subject is made compatible with current requirements and the entrepreneurship scene in Malaysia.

Dr Fauzi meeting the media after the event said it was important to find the right path for the programme and the new module would concentrate more on the practical aspects to enable students gain experience in undertaking a business venture.

English has also been made the language of the new module as it is an international language and the primary language of commerce and business and easier to be understood by foreign students. The guide will nonetheless be translated into Malay.

Among the objectives of the Campus Entrepreneurship Development Priogramme is to inculcate entrepreneurship traits among university students with the universities acting as the catalyst and base support to entrepreneurs with CESMED fellows becoming coaches to UKM students.

The programme includes providing information and industry training placements to students. Among activities undertaken by UKM in the Programme include Business Ideas Challenge, SMEs Business Advertisements and Entrepreneurship Workshops.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student and Alumni Affairs) of University Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Dato’ Paduka Dr Junaidy Abu Bakar was among those present at the closing ceremony.