MCM eCOM Global Venture unveils E-Commerce Ecosystem in UTAR

UTAR is probably one of the few private universities that now has a complete E-commerce ecosystem on campus that fulfils the process of sourcing the products, branding and marketing, labelling and storage, reaching out to consumers online, handling online payments, packaging and delivering the products to consumers; all completed on campus with the assistance of students to enable them to be trained and proficient in e-commerce. From theory in the classrooms to practice and real online business dealings, managing products and interacting with customers and consumers, UTAR students are fortunate to have this crucial experience that could be the start of future e-commerce ventures for them.

Prof Max Shangkar (second from left) and Prof Ewe cutting the ribbon as Then (far left) and Prof Faidz (far right) look on during the launch

This is the brilliant initiative of UTAR Unovate Centre with great collaborative support and contribution from MCM eCom Global Venture Sdn Bhd (BizPorter). UTAR and MCM eCOM Global Venture Sdn Bhd launched the E-Commerce Fulfilment Centre (ECFC) at UTAR Sungai Long Campus on 28 September 2020 with the aim to create a complete e-commerce ecosystem that comprises the full cycle of the buying and selling of goods electronically. In conjunction with the launch is the exchange ceremony of the memorandum of agreement (MoA) between UTAR and MCM eCOM Global Venture Sdn Bhd.

The ECFC will serve as a warehouse and e-commerce delivery centre that provide fulfilment service such as storing merchandise and preparing merchandise to be shipped out to e-commerce merchant, using the Warehouse Management System to manage and control the warehouse operations from the time goods received until the goods are shipped out. The ECFC also enables students to experience real e-commerce processes from theory to practice and operations by dealing with real products and customers. Aside from that, the centre is also used by UTAR academics for research purpose.

Under the MoA, MCM eCOM Global Venture Sdn Bhd will sponsor a student start-up from the Unovate Centre to support the operation of ECFC and a Doctor of Philosophy student to carry out a research project on “Commerce 4.0” which studies the processes that involve Industry 4.0 technologies.

Prof Ewe (left) and Prof Max Shangkar (right) delivering their speech

At the launch, Prof Ewe said, “Taking into consideration the importance of e-commerce, UTAR strongly encourages its staff and students to partake in this digital trend. We strongly believe that the exposure and participation of individuals in this environment would promote digital literacy among the users which is significant and in line with the need of Industrial revolution 4.0. Since then, UTAR has always been committed and has consistently taken proactive steps by having various activities that promote e-commerce among staff and students. I look forward to progressing our partnership with positive outcomes in the near future.”

“It is months of hard work between MCM eCOM and UTAR to enable the e-commerce ecosystem to happen. This ecosystem includes technology development and an integrated system to enable a real university entrepreneurship ecosystem that is led by Unovate Centre. MCM eCOM has invested and developed a program algorithm with R&D and integrated with market key partners such as J&T Express and other e-commerce fulfiller service providers. The efforts from MCM eCOM through Bizporter and Unovate will work hand in hand to support Unovate entrepreneurs community that are cooperative, supportive, proactive and visionary. The goal is to support students to get a better understanding of digital business and entrepreneurship transformation. I would like to take this opportunity to thank UTAR for making such visionary move and great effort to embrace IR 4.0 while supporting e-commerce and young entrepreneurship,” said Adjunct Prof Max Shangkar in his speech.

Prof Max Shangkar (left) and Prof Ewe with the signed documents

The MoA was signed by MCM Group Executive Chairman Adjunct Prof Max in the presence of MCM eCOM Global Venture Sdn Bhd Chief Executive Officer Then Ikh Choo while UTAR was represented by its President Ir Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat in the presence of Vice President of R&D and Commercialisation Prof Ts Dr Faidz bin Abdul Rahman.

The launch was followed by a tour to the ECFC led by Mr Then and UTAR Unovate Centre Head Dr Lee Sheng Chyan before a group photography session.

Also present at the ceremony were Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science Dean Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min, Faculty of Accountancy and Management Dean Dr Sia Bee Chuan, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training Prof Dr Alan Ong Han Kiat, Division of Community and International Networking Director Assoc Prof Dr Lai Soon Onn, Division of Corporate Communication and Public Relations Director Ong Soo Weon, MCM eCOM Global Venture Sdn Bhd Executive Director Lawson Lau Chai Yap, E Metall Systems Sdn Bhd Director Jason Goh Ting Hong, MCM eCOM Global Venture Sdn Bhd Chief Technology Officer Lucas Wong, MCM eCOM Global Venture Sdn Bhd Regional Business Development Manager Low Hee Mun, NCB Synergy Sdn Bhd Director Raymond Chin, NCB Synergy Sdn Bhd Biz Development Director Dato’ Soo Kai Chee, Stoned & Co Founder Andrew Ngo, Lintech Technology Sdn Bhd Director Dr Aziz Seder, MCM eCOM Global Venture Sdn Bhd Chief Marketing Officer Roy Ong, J&T Express Sdn Bhd Warehouse Manager Borg, J&T Express Sdn Bhd Warehouse Trainer Wynn, MCM eCOM Global Venture Sdn Bhd Chief Product Officer Arthur and MCM eCOM Global Venture Sdn Bhd Chief Marketing Officer Property Suren.

Group photography among UTAR staff, MCM Group, MCM eCOM Global Venture Sdn Bhd and partners

Then (far right) explaining the e-commerce system to guests during the tour

Measuring product weight before printing the barcode for the product

Scanning the barcode of the products through the PDA to automatically identify the goods and record them for accurate and fast sorting of products