By Olivia Miwil - April 3, 2021 @ 10:28am
To achieve the target, the Cyberjaya-based MaGIC is working with the Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (SCEIC) here for the 2021 University Startup Challenge (USC).
MaGIC chief executive officer Dzuleira Abu Bakar said the centre has always been a proponent of capacity building to help future-proof startups, improving market access as well as increasing value creation in terms of revenues and investments.
"But, it is not something MaGIC can do alone. Building a vibrant and sustainable startup ecosystem at a national, regional and global scale requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders–from entrepreneurs and corporates to regulators and consumers – as we attempt to innovatively develop solutions for challenges that come our way.
"We should have that open platform and conversation to bring the right people onboard and devise more effective solutions," she said in a statement.
Dzuleira added that as each player has limited resources, thus it is important to have right and like-minded partners such as SCEIC to scale the solutions and achieve a bigger impact.
The USC is a startup immersion programme for students aged between 18 and 35 at both private and local higher learning institutions in Malaysia.
Throughout the six months, the challenge is expected to roll out six online idea camps, four online boot camps and a pitching workshop.
"Ultimately, the goal of the programme is two-prong; Creating a thriving innovation-culture in Malaysia by building a large pool of startups; and increasing future-forward, quality talent pool with an entrepreneurial mindset.
"By providing our future founders the necessary support system, it means giving the innovation economy a better chance to find impactful innovations," Dzuleira added.
USC was launched in 2019 as part of MaGIC's overall youth empowerment initiative. Ever since its inception, the challenge has benefitted over 300 students.
Meanwhile, SCEIC General Manager Viviantie Sarjuni said they are collaborating with MaGIC to promote the challenge and push the recruitment drive in Sabah via all possible platforms.
She added students in Sabah should take part in the challenge on top of the programmes available at learning institutes.
"It is imperative that students are exposed to opportunities from outside. They should be connected with some of the best mentors from the industry so they can learn more of what's happening outside of their institutions and in the real world.
"This experience can be used to help them once they have graduated and start looking for jobs.
"Those ideas they have proposed through USC can also be nurtured and potentially generate income as well as provide jobs for others," she said, hoping at least 300 students would take part.
Applications are open for submission now, and there are six sessions for this nationwide programme until May 30.
The first session will begin on April 17 and 18.
For more information on the 2021 USC, visit www.mymagic.my/usc.
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