Curtin Sarawak marketing students learn about operating a NPO

Miri – 18 June 2013 – 50 marketing students of the School of Business at Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) recently had the opportunity to learn about operating a Non-profit Organisation (NPO) from guest speaker Tan Lay Yen of the Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC), Miri Chapter.

Tan is the honorary secretary of the Miri chapter and a long-time member of the Malaysian Red Crescent with vast experience in voluntary activities.

Also present at the talk were the head of the Marketing and Management Department of the school, Associate Professor Dr. Alan G. Downe, and marketing lecturer Dr. Joseph Sia Kee Ming.

According to Dr. Sia, the talk helped the students who are taking the Marketing Professional Practice 300 unit to fulfil its comprehensive component, as well as in carrying out their individual and group assignments.

In his talk, Tan outlined the operational aspects of a NPO, which could be challenging due to limited funding and shortage of volunteers. This was followed by an interactive session which introduced the students to the seven principles of project implementation applied by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), namely humanity, impartiality, neutrality, human independence, unity, universality and voluntary service.

In addition, Tan also shared information on the core activities of MRC, Miri Chapter, such as running the Miri Dialysis Centre for end-stage renal failure (ESRF) patients, providing care and training for children with special needs at the Sunflower Centre, operating a recycling centre, organising organ and blood donation drives, and other activities.

“The talk has enriched the students with new marketing knowledge, particularly on how to run a NPO,” said Dr. Sia.

Meanwhile, Dr. Downe commented that the understanding of a NPO’s operation and management gives the students further insight into the dynamic development of the business environment.

Goh Yen Peng, a third-year marketing student, commented that he gained valuable knowledge from the talk as he was able to learn how a NPO operates differently from other organisations.

Tan Lay Yen, Honorary Secretary of Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC), Miri Chapter delivering his talk.

Dr. Sia (4th right), Tan, Dr. Downe (2nd right) posing for a group photo with the students.