Curtin Malaysia students emerge first runners-up in business challenge

Miri – 5 January 2021 – The COVID-19 pandemic has not stopped the development of world-class Malaysian business talent as shown by the wealth of talent exhibited by student teams competing in the recent 4^th Annual Malaysian Experiential Business Challenge – The CIMA-EBLM Business Challenge 2020.

Among the top talents was Team A from Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) comprising Bachelor of Commerce students Chester Chang Kah Seng, Zhang Zhe, and Lau Hui Jean and Wong Cheng Yee, who emerged first runners-up. Chang is majoring in entrepreneurship and marketing, Zhang in finance, and Lau and Wong in management and marketing.

A second team, Curtin Malaysia Team B, was also among the top six finalist teams that included teams from Teesneaker Care, TAR University College, Azman Hashim International Business School and Monash University Malaysia.

Team B comprised Bachelor of Business Administration student Raheem Alam; and Bachelor of Commerce students Dallas Ngo Zhau Xuan, who is majoring in finance and management; and Essivieta Loren Joaquim Antonio and Sylvia Yap Shi Wei, who are majoring in accounting and finance.

All the students are enrolled in the MKTG3000 Business Capstone, a final-year unit focused on competitive strategies and industry dynamics that allows students to refine their business acumen, applying all the knowledge and skills they have acquired throughout the study of their majors in a process of simulation, reflection and experiential learning with realistic business scenarios. Thus, they were well-equipped and prepared to compete in the business challenge.

The business challenge’s finals and award ceremony, which are usually held live, were held online for the first time this year due to the global pandemic. Following qualifying rounds in October and November, the top six finalist teams representing leading business schools in Malaysia, competed throughout the course of a day in the live online finals.

Dean of Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Business, Professor Andreas Zins, commented that it was very exciting to have two teams from Curtin Malaysia in the finals and for Team A to emerge first runners-up in the keenly-contested challenge.

He said that despite the fact the students had to compete entirely online, which has its inherent limitations, they put up a strong showing demonstrating their prowess on digital platforms and successfully showcased the business acumen students and graduates of the Faculty of Business are known for.

Meanwhile, R. Rajalingam, Executive Chairman of Experiential Business Learning (M) Sdn. Bhd. (ELBM), the organisers of the business challenge, said in his closing speech during the finals that beyond the excitement, celebration and regret surrounding the competition, there is real learning that produces superior candidates for further education or management training.

He added that EBLM and CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) are proud that the event, which is supported by Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) and Malaysian Institute of Management (MIM), is effective in the development of world-class Malaysian business talent.

“The concept of digital-age experiential business learning and the world-leading Capsim Capstone platform used in the challenge are embedded in American and European university and corporate training programmes. Though new to Malaysia, they are now being steadily adopted by leading Malaysian universities and corporations,” remarked Rajalingam.

Rajalingam expressed satisfaction in the significant year-on-year improvement shown by young Malaysian business talent to achieve world-class standards as evidenced by the Malaysian teams that are now featuring in the top one per cent in the Capsim Global Index. In 2020, teams from Malaysia placed second, third and fourth in the Capsim Spring 2020 Global Foundation Challenge.

The leaders of all six finalist teams were unanimous, in their speeches during the finals, that the Capsim experiential business learning platform provided a superior practical learning experience and thanked their institutions and EBLM for giving them the invaluable learning opportunity.

 The Faculty of Business at Curtin Malaysia is one of the leading providers of business education nationally, offering a comprehensive range of business courses, while strong connections with industry ensure that its students are aligned with the latest industry trends. The Faculty boasts an impressive employability rate due to such connections, which effectively serve the needs of both the student and employer.

All programmes at the Faculty of Business are accredited by AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, USA) and relevant national and international professional bodies. Popular courses at the Faculty include the Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting or Finance and a number of double major combinations.

The 4th Annual Malaysian Experiential Business Challenge – The CIMA-EBLM Business Challenge 2020 finalists.

Screen grab of the Curtin Malaysia students amongst other finalists.