Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (FICT) students emerged as the Champion and 1st Runner-up winners at the Monsoonsim Enterprise Resource Management Competition 2023 (MERMC), held on 23 September 2023 at Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP).

The champion team, SYNCS, consisted of team members Chia Wan Jun, Goh Song Bing, Leng Thiam Meng, Ng Chun Yap and Kong Chi Chen. The first runner-up team, Lost in the Unknown, consisted of Thang Xian Ya, Lim Xiao Yun, Khor Wei Heng, Heng Wen Chong and Wong Sum Yu.

Supervised by Dr Choo Peng Yin and Ts Tey Chee Chieh, the champion team walked away with a cash prize worth RM2,000 and a trophy, along with medals and certificates of achievement. Meanwhile, the 1st runner-up team took home a cash prize worth RM1,000 as well as medals and certificates of achievement. In addition, both teams were also qualified to participate in the upcoming 9th annual MonsoonSIM International Competition, which will be held from 30 November 2023 to 2 December 2023 at UTAR Kampar Campus.

Expressing their gratitude, the champion team, SYNCS said, “Winning champion for this competition does mark a significant milestone in our lives; it holds the potential to contribute to each of our personal development in our studies. Besides, this competition also enabled us to connect with other competitors from other countries and learn something new from them. So, taking part in this competition allowed us to gain some business knowledge and experience the complexities of running a real business and market.”

The 1st runner-up team, Lost in the Unknown said, “We joined this competition because we wanted to gain new experience, make new friends and learn the value of teamwork in solving problems. Our participation in the MoonsonSIM competition enabled us to cultivate teamwork and collaboration skills. It also presented us with valuable opportunities to learn and expand our knowledge. MoonsoonSIM is a competition that emphasises strong collaboration among its members. So, joining this competition not only fulfilled our intellectual curiosity but it also provided us with an opportunity to learn strategies from our competitors, and make meaningful contributions to the field.”

Praising MERMEC’s aim and the FICT team’s winning, Ts Tey said, “The fusion of education and gamification is no longer a mere concept but a proven method to engage the Y generation. MERMC 2023 has successfully bridged the gap between traditional teaching methods and the interactive, tech-savvy nature of today’s learners. By turning learning into a game, the competition has created an environment where curiosity is sparked, critical thinking is honed, and a passion for business process learning is ignited. Beyond the competition’s surface, MERMC 2023 has sown the seeds for the growth of future ERP talents. Graduating students who participated have not only gained a deeper understanding of enterprise resource planning but have also acquired practical skills that will undoubtedly set them apart in the professional world. The competition’s commitment to nurturing talent ensures a legacy that extends far beyond the event itself. In conclusion, MERMC 2023 has not just been a competition; it's been a transformative journey. It has reshaped the way we perceive learning, proving that education can be both enlightening and enjoyable. As we celebrate the winners and commend the organisers, let us recognise that MERMC 2023 has not only met its objectives but has laid the groundwork for a new era in experiential learning through gamification.”

A total of 12 teams from six universities, namely Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), UTAR, Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), University College TATI (UC TATI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Politeknik Melaka, participated in the competitive tournament.

MERMC is an esteemed international event that showcases the talents and skills of students in the field of enterprise resource management. MERMC 2023, hosted by MonsoonSIM and its partners, brought together participants from five continents, creating a vibrant and competitive atmosphere where students demonstrated their expertise in managing virtual businesses. This prestigious competition offered an immersive learning experience, allowing students to apply their knowledge in finance, retail, logistics, human resources, and more through the MonsoonSIM platform.