| SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES

Biz student makes RM11,000 in trading of quails under UPM tutelage

By Syifarida Muhamad Zaki
Phot by Noor Azreen Awang



SERDANG, 29 Aug (UPM) – A graduate of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) makes RM11,000 from trading in quails under a special two-month business training programme of the university to hone the business skill of its students.

Hosted by the University-Community Transformation Centre (UCTC) of UPM, the 15 participants were selected from the graduates of the university for the pilot programme from 22 June to 28 August 2013.

Nur Hani Ithanin, a graduate of the Economics and Management Faculty, managed to gross a revenue of RM24,000 from her quail business and made a profit of RM11,000 during the two-month training period.

In the process, she walked away with the top prize of RM1,500, a plaque, a certificate and a return package for a wholesale business trip to Guangzhou, China.    



Under the UCTC Trading Entrepreneurship Challenge (TRADEC’13) programme, the  participants were equipped with the knowledge and skill to do business through theories, simulation and practical.   

They were also given guidance by entrepreneurs who are already successful in their fields.

“TRADEC’13 has helped me a lot in doing business by giving me the know-how and the guidance by the successful entrepreneurs who shared their experiences with us through the programme.

“The programme has certainly spurred me to continue with the business and I shall be looking for more places to sell,” Nur Hani said during the High Tea in conjunction with the Tradec’13 Excellence Award here today.



The 2nd prize was won by Siti Hawaliah Damanshah, a graduate of the Modern Language and Communication Faculty who traded in Muslim apparels. She received RM1,000, a plaque, a certificate and also a return package for a wholesale business trip to Guangzhou.

The 3rd place went to Nurul Fatrah Mohd Ramli, a graduate from the Agriculture Faculty who traded in pot-baked honey chicken besides conducting home tuition classes. She received RM500, a plaque and a certificate.

Nurul Fatrah was also adjudged the participant with the best domain and she received a domain reservation package of one year, sponsored by niaganews.com.

The participants were evaluated throughout the course where 50% of the marks came from their final presentation.



UCTC Director, Assoc. Prof Dr. Nordin Abd. Rahman said the participants were selected from among the graduates,  based on their individual strength and ability to succeed as traders and entrepreneurs.

“The participants were equipped with the knowledge of trading and entrepreneurship for 10 days before they started their respective businesses.

“Able lecturers and mentors were present throughout the course to assist and guide the participants so that they could acquire valuable knowledge and experience to enable them to succeed in their business,” he added.



The Deputy Vice Chancellor (for Student Affairs and Alumni), Prof. Dr. Mohammad Shatar Sabran in his remarks, said he hoped that TRADEC would be continued in future.

“My hope is that TRADEC’14 can be held and the Education Ministry would provide the allocation for continuing the programme to produce graduate entrepreneurs in trade and commerce,” he added. -- UPM

-  smz/kgo


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