UTAR receives recognition at Talentbank Boardroom Challenge 2025

UTAR secured two recognitions at the inaugural Talentbank Boardroom Challenge 2025, which took place from 27 September to 8 November 2025. The final presentations and award ceremony were held on 8 November 2025 at the Talentbank Boardroom, Kuala Lumpur. The national competition brought together the Top 15 finalists selected from over 400 proposals nationwide, providing a platform for participants to showcase innovative ideas to enhance graduate employability.

Team Talent V presenting their project
(Photo credit: Talentbank)

Team Talent V from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, comprising academics Mr Lim Ooi Sheng and Ms Choo Hui Juin, and students Yeong E-Kai and Claven Tiong Kung Yiik, won the Strategic Thinker Award for their project titled Talent V: Right Talent. Right Place. Their project introduced Malaysia’s first verified, gamified, psychology-driven employability ecosystem, turning hiring from guesswork into an evidence-based process. Mentored by UpGrowth HR Sdn Bhd Founder Mr Jason Wee Zheng Khai, the team’s strategic approach and clarity in tackling complex challenges earned them recognition as one of the final presenting groups.

Team Talent V (second from left): Mr Lim, Ms Choo, Yeong and Claven Tiong with Talentbank Founder and Chief Executive Officer Mr Ben Ho (far left)
(Photo credit: Talentbank)

Reflecting on the achievement, the team shared, “As researchers specialising in industrial-organisational psychology, the Challenge offered a rare chance to turn theory into practice. Winning the Strategic Thinker Award affirms that our psychologically-informed approach resonates not only academically but also commercially. It reinforces that bridging psychology and business can create human-centred innovation and competitive outcomes, and it gives us momentum to scale our solution.”

Second from left: Ms Choo, Mr Lim, Yeong and Claven Tiong with their mentor Mr Jason Wee Zheng Khai (far left)
(Photo credit: Talentbank)

Lai Jien Weng during his presentation
(Photo credit: Talentbank)

Separately, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science student Lai Jien Weng received the Future Founder Award for his solo project, Project Chrysalis, which nurtures SPM leavers through a fast-track healthcare training programme and helps fill the manpower shortage in the healthcare industry. Mentored by Roche Sub-Chapter Lead Product Analysis & Consultancy Mr Rao Murugesh, his project supports the Talentbank Boardroom Challenge’s objective of discovering and nurturing visionary entrepreneurs and exceptional talent. Under the theme Alternative Pathways for SPM Leavers, the project offers a one-year, affordable training programme that equips SPM leavers with essential skills and guarantees employment with a starting salary of at least RM3,000 per month, addressing critical manpower shortages while creating sustainable career opportunities for young graduates.

Motivated by personal experience, Lai explained, “I joined the Challenge to create a real solution after witnessing the impact of manpower shortages on my family in hospitals. Winning the Future Founder Award confirms the validity of my vision and provides the credibility needed to attract partners to turn this pathway into a national safety net for SPM leavers.”

Lai (left) receiving the Top 15 Finalist certificate from Talentbank Director of Government & University Liaison Mr Muhammad Fadilah (left photo) and the Future Founder Award certificate from Director of Employer Liaison Mr Tong Li Kiat
(Photo credit: Talentbank)

UTAR congratulates Team Talent V and Lai Jien Weng for their achievements and for contributing innovative ideas that support Malaysia’s graduate employability landscape.

The Talentbank Boardroom Challenge is a national business accelerator empowering university students and graduates to solve real employability and industry challenges. Participants propose innovative, business-driven solutions to issues faced by universities, employers, and the graduate job market. Guided by industry mentors, they pitch their ideas to corporate leaders — competing for the opportunity to turn vision into venture.