Faculty of Business, Economics, and Accountancy (FBEA), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) stay committed in assisting the advancement and competitiveness of entrepreneur through research along with innovation related with local business.
Through a final presentation program by students from the course “Integrated Marketing Communication,” students were involved in presenting their results along with the involvement of business entrepreneurs based on Sabah’s local products.
By bringing the theme, “The 2nd Product Development and Promotional Campaign Competition for BG31903 Integrated Marketing Communication Pitching to Judges”, the final presentation program that was held at FPEP consists of 93 Year-Two students, which then formed 13 groups to present their results.
According to Senior Lecturer FPEP, Dr Siti Nor Bayaah Ahmad who is in charge of the course, other aims of the programme is to attract students from marketing program to create as well as produce new and innovative packaging ideas.
“This programme also generates effective digital communication to assist local entrepreneur in expanding their products at local and national level.
“Other than that, this effort also opens up opportunities to Year-Two students of Marketing Program involved to use their knowledge and skills that they have learned to create ideas that are unique and creative, aligned with the aim of marketing program which is producing knowledgeable, high-quality, and competitive graduate.
“In addition, this is one of the focuses in realising the founding aspirations of UMS as a place to gain knowledge to help local communities in improving socioeconomics dan fostering entrepreneurship values among UMS students,” she said.
Siti Nor Bayaah also informed, this idea presenting programme involves seven lecturers from diverse FPEP program along with four local entrepreneur which acts as competition judge.
“The four entrepreneurs were Juddy Lasisu, owner of Aurora Mutiara Enterprise which creates product from dried fruits and plants; Rosalia Anthony, founder of Ohakakita Food Sdn Bhd, a product related to condiments, “sambal tausi” dan “sambal tuhau”
“Vellarry Maydelina Yong, owner of Oupus Organis which produce cream products based on bambangan fruit; and Sainah Asoh, owner of Tumuna Enterprise which just got into yam powder product, yam slices and Pensiangan coffee.
“Students involved has researched, applied and suggesting new packaging also launched digital marketing through Tik Tok application as to promoting the products of these businesswomen,” she said.
She also expresses appreciation towards the local businesswomen on their gift donation to the winners of every category that was presented by every student group.
“Involvement by local entrepreneur has given opportunities to students to interact with them by ideas presentation and promoting their work to industry just like what is happening outside of university.
“This allows them to gain valuable experiences which are applying the idea of creative product packaging and real scenario of promoting and not depends on theoretical only,” she said.
She also hopes that the effort can be continued in the future with more involvement from micro entrepreneurs, small and average together with university students in creating creative output for their organisation.
Among those who were present, Deputy Dean of Student Affairs FPEP, Dr. Noor Fzlinda Fabeil; Marketing Program Leader, Dr Brahim Chekima; and Senior Lecturer FPEP, Charlie Albert Lausin who is also conducting the Integrated Marketing Communication course.
