First ever M100 Challenge

A group photo of the participants, organisers and representatives from the participating companies

The first ever M100 Challenge was held over two days at UTAR Perak Campus recently.

The Challenge was jointly organised by UTAR Department of Alumni Relations and Placement (DARP), GTI Media Malaysia and participating companies such as Auric Pacific, Berjaya, Career Builder Malaysia, Eco World, Hartalega, KPMG, Leaderonomics, Maybank, RHB and Resorts World Genting.

The Challenge comprised an exciting series of indoor and outdoor events that tested the students’ physical and mental strength. The mental challenge was conducted on the first day and tested the students’ skills and competencies like how graduate recruiters might test them during recruitment process. The physical challenge was conducted on the second day and combined exciting sports, games and adventure-based activities that tested the students’ teamwork and communication.

Also present at the physical challenge were Pengarah Bahagian Hubungan Industri, Ministry of Education (MOE) Prof Madya Dr Arham bin Abdullah, UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Assoc Prof Dr Teh Chee Seng and Regional Commercial Director of GTI Media Malaysia Lily Chan.

A group photo of (from left) GTI Media staff Jaideep Patel and Norhafizah, MOE staff Shahrul, Prof Arham and Dr Teh on their bicycles

Lily Chan said in her opening remarks, “On behalf of GTI Media, I would like to thank Prof Arham for coming all the way to Kampar to officiate this event. I would also like to thank UTAR for giving us the opportunity to organise this event at the magnificent UTAR Perak Campus. My heartiest appreciation also goes out to all participating companies and the DARP team for their pilot effort in ensuring the success of this event.”

She added, “History is made as we are congregated here today. For many years, our head office in the United Kingdom has been urging us to start this event in Malaysia. Therefore, participants should be proud of themselves as the pioneer group of this event. M100 is meant to connect employers and students in a different manner and through this two-day challenge, GTI media hopes to provide students with a chance to showcase their abilities, leadership and teamwork and change the landscape of graduate employment in Malaysia.”

In his speech, Dr Teh thanked all the parties involved for making the inaugural event possible. He added, “Although UTAR has provided the facility, it would not have happened without the support, initiative and participation of all. It is indeed very special for UTAR to be part of this event and I would like to thank the DARP team for the commitment and hard work that they have put into this event.”

Dr Teh delivering his remarks while Lily (behind, left) and Prof Arham look on

Following the flag off, 27 teams with six participants each raced to finish the Challenge. They had to complete all challenges at all stations and were allocated a time limit of 10 to 15 minutes for each station. They travelled from one designated station to another via bicycle. Points were given based on different criteria pre-set by employers such as numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, business acumen, creativity and leadership potential.

Team 14 who also won the Best Teamwork Award emerged as champion, followed by Team 8 in the second place and Team 13 in the third place. The top three teams received mock cheques, certificates, T-shirts and goodies bag from the Vice Chairman of GTI Media Malaysia, Loh Kwai Nam. Meanwhile, Team 28 won the Team Cheer Competition and Tan Wee Ling from Team 13 won the Best Leader Award.

Team 14 posing with their mock cheque and Loh (right)

A group photo of the top three teams and their mock cheques