SME Forum

From left: John Chai, Assoc Prof Lai, Gan, Dato’ Lim, Prof Lee, Wong, Ir Woo, Chai, Loo and Hiew

UTAR together with the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor (KLSCCCI), Klang Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCCI) and Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) held a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) forum on 31 July 2017 at Sungai Long Campus.

In his welcome remark, UTAR Vice President for Research and Development (R&D) and Commercialisation Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei said, “SMEs constitute a major part of the total business establishments in Malaysia and play an important role in its economic and workforce development. I am grateful that UTAR together with the industry players are able to once again come together to benefit our students. I am also glad to have learnt that many UTAR alumni have ventured into the SME. As UTAR is a university by the people, I wish to see more UTAR students join the force to help the industry to solve problems and contribute to the nation’s growth. Besides, I look forward to more collaborations with the industry players through various platforms to promote mutual understanding as well as to drive the SMEs in Malaysia forward in order to grasp the strength towards a better entrepreneurial revolution.”

Prof Lee mentioning some UTAR events in collaboration with the industry

KLSCCCI Vice President Dato’ Lim Kiam Lam also highlighted, “Business-academia collaboration is a significant initiative that encourages further developments in various aspects such as R&D, investment and innovation. It is crucial for both the industry and the academia to train young talents by providing them the relevant knowledge and skills and offer good learning grounds for them to explore the actual workforce. Therefore, I wish to see more industry-university link activities like today’s forum to groom more potential talents who will be able to direct the future SME world in the future.”

Dato’ Lim speaking about the importance of industry-university link activities

The aim objectives of the forum were to bridge the academia and the industry, and to promote SMEs to the UTAR students. The forum also aimed to foster future relationships and help students explore the prospects and career path in SMEs. In line with the forum’s objectives, four panellists from various sectors and backgrounds of the industry were invited to share their experience and insights with the students. The panellists were SME Corporation Malaysia Corporate Management Division Director Chai Sen Hong, Master Jaya Engineering Sdn Bhd Managing Director Ir A K Woo, Loob Holding Sdn Bhd Chief Executive Officer cum Founder of Tealive Bryan Loo, and Tomei Consolidated Berhad Corporate Planning Assistant General Manager Priscilla Hiew, while the moderator TCTL Engineering Sdn Bhd General Manager John Chai Jone Fuu.

Chai was invited to brief the audience about SME. He explained, “SMEs are the backbone of Malaysia’s economy. As of 2016, 98.5% of the business establishments in Malaysia are SMEs and they contribute to 66.6% of the gross domestic product (GDP) in the country. They cover a wide range of sectors such as services, manufacturing, construction and agriculture.” Chai advised, “SME is growing at a dramatic pace and has great potential to make our country to be more entrepreneurial-driven. I look forward to more ambitious young people to join the SME world.”

Ir Woo said, “The exposure at SME is rewarding as it allows the fresh graduates to grow with the company and trains them to build resilience for future challenges. I would encourage the students who are interested to venture into the SME world to pick up soft skills such as speaking and public relations in addition to their studies. Besides, communication skills and human network are important keys to excel as an SME businessman.”

Another panellist, Loo shared his story as a young businessman who started an SME business and advised, “Think big; start small. Go for what you love to do and commit to your passion with proper planning. Creativity and innovation are among the significant aspects to explore, particularly for those who want to pursue an entrepreneurial dream.”

Besides, Hiew encouraged the students to constantly read and learn new skills. She emphasised, “Never stop learning and ensure that you continue to learn like a sponge. Reading should be made a habit. Reading ensures us to keep ourselves abreast of the latest updates as well as the essential knowledge. With present technologies, we can read with much convenience on mobile devices anytime, anywhere.”

From left: John Chai, Ir Woo, Chai, Loo and Hiew at the SME forum

The forum panellists Chai, Ir Woo, Hiew and Loo (clockwise, from top left) sharing their experience in SME

The forum also saw the presence of KLSCCCI Council Member cum Chairman of Industry Committee Gan Boon Khim, MRCA Simon Wong, UTAR Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science Deputy Dean Assoc Prof Dr Lai Soon Onn as well as representatives from the industry, and UTAR staff and students.

The guests and speakers together with the audience after the SME forum