How to Cultivate Practical Entrepreneurs: Inside the CEM of Agri-preneur Focused UPM

‍Universiti Putra Malaysia(UPM) is a well-regarded university not only in Malaysia but also globally. It has received accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business(AACSB), a recognition held by only a small percentage of business schools worldwide. Additionally, in the QS World University Rankings 2024, it was ranked 158th globally, reflecting its strong academic reputation and research output. 

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It is no surprise for UPM to run the high quality entrepreneurship development education. The Centre for Entrepreneurial Development and Graduate Marketability (CEM) is the representative institute of UPM. CEM is known for its comprehensive programs and diverse learning environments that provide hands-on experience and practical knowledge, preparing students for real-world entrepreneurial challenges. 

Asia Tomorrow met with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hizmawati Madzin, Director of CEM, to explore the various programs and activities offered by CEM, understand UPM’s entrepreneurial program focused on agriculture, and discuss CEM’s role in the Malaysian entrepreneurship ecosystem.

“What is the entrepreneurship mindset? What’s the know-how of CEM to run the diverse activities and funds? What more would they like to do to foster better agri-preneurs? Who are their main partners? What’s CEM’s role in the Malaysian entrepreneurial ecosystem? What’s the ‘Living Lab’ that CEM is trying to build?” 

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Entrepreneurial Programs, Student-run Shop and Funds at CEM

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Q. Could you share how CEM is positioned at UPM? 

At UPM, there are three (3) entities dedicated to entrepreneurship development: one for students and two for officers.

Center for Entrepreneurship Development and Graduate Marketability (CEM) focuses on students, while the other two, Putra Science Park (PSP) and University Community Transformation Centre (UCTC), cater to university officers. Each entity plays a distinct role in entrepreneurship education and development, working closely together to advance entrepreneurial activities at UPM.

CEM covers basic entrepreneurship by discovering, fostering, and motivating students to become entrepreneurs in the future. We are more focused on how to expose the student to entrepreneurship and how to motivate them during their studies. 

PSP plays a role in providing services to university officers who are interested in commercializing their research products. PSP is the center for UPM innovation management, also known as the technology transfer office (TTO) for Universiti Putra Malaysia, supporting technology transfer activities by moving potential technologies and research from the laboratory to the market.

Meanwhile, UCTC is responsible for encouraging university officers to strengthen various organized and focused extension programs, entrepreneurship, and professional advancement/ training fields for the community, particularly in promoting social entrepreneurship (SE).

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Q. Could you explain more about CEM in detail?

CEM was established in accordance with the directive from the Ministry of Higher Education at the time, to set up Entrepreneurship Centers at all public universities (UA) for the implementation of the Entrepreneurship Development Policy in Higher Education Institutions.

We are mainly focused on two categories. Firstly, the way to develop entrepreneurship among the young students in our university. Secondly, we are focusing on the marketability of the students with their careers. For entrepreneurship education, we run the programs to identify and develop the students who are into entrepreneurship having the possibility to pursue the entrepreneurial career path. 

CEM’s philosophy is to encourage students to become job creators and establish their entrepreneurial journey while they are studying and after graduation. 

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Q. What does CEM consider the most valuable thing in entrepreneurship education? 

It's about cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset. This mindset involves thinking critically, generating innovative ideas, and having the drive to turn problems into solutions and opportunities. While not everyone may become an entrepreneur, everyone can develop an entrepreneurial mindset. This is the most valuable thing that CEM can impart to students.

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Q. How does CEM identify students who are actually interested in entrepreneurship?

Currently, 1,755 students, representing 6.5% of the entire student body at UPM, are enrolled in entrepreneurship development programs. To identify these students, UPM requires all students to take a compulsory course called "Basic Entrepreneurship (MGM3180)". Through this process, CEM provides extracurricular education, activities, financial support, and awards to these identified students.

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Q. Could you share more about the entrepreneurship development programs you just mentioned? 

Firstly, CEM offers extracurricular education that includes activities and an introduction to entrepreneurship, covering topics such as the business model canvas (BMC), business planning, financial management, digital marketing, product innovation, and creative thinking.

Secondly, CEM provides financial support to students in two forms. The first is a microcredit loan, offering up to 5,000 MYR. The second is a grant, which CEM secures from external sources such as investors and the government, providing seed funds ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 MYR to students.

To qualify for a grant, students must meet CEM’s criteria. For instance, they are required to register their business with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) and demonstrate that they have conducted sales activities for at least three months to show their commitment.

Thirdly, CEM awards two types of honors, to the most active students in entrepreneurship development at UPM's Convocation each year. The Shell Tiram Wawasan Entrepreneurship Gold Medal, a University Prize, is sponsored by Tiram Wawasan Enterprise, a Shell station entrepreneur. Likewise, the Shell MyDinar Career Advancement Gold Medal is sponsored by MyDinar Kiosk, another Shell station entrepreneur.

Students leverage these awards to enhance their portfolios, increasing their chances of securing investment. These honors boost the recipients' credibility, making them more appealing to potential investors.

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Q. Could you share a special activity that CEM’s offering for students?

CEM provides students with the opportunity to manage a shop as part of their entrepreneurship studies. We encourage those interested in entrepreneurship to take on this role. By offering the shop at an affordable rate, CEM helps students run their own businesses without a significant financial burden.

Although the shop is small, students are required to register their business with the SSM and create a timetable to ensure organized operations. The shop offers a variety of products and services, including food and beverages, stationery, courier services, and mini-mart items, providing students with valuable hands-on experience in business management.

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Q. Besides these programs, as UPM is focused on agriculture, do you have any program about it?

UPM offers an Agri-Preneur(agriculture + entrepreneur) program that combines agriculture and entrepreneurship, teaching students how to create startups within the agricultural sector. This initiative is supported by several local banks, including Agrobank, RHB Bank, and Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia, which provide funding for facilities and educational resources, including advanced digital technologies like drones and the Internet of Things (IoT).

In Malaysia, agriculture is often overlooked by young people due to its association with physical labor, challenging weather, and less glamorous aspects. However, as food supply issues become more pressing, the importance of agriculture is growing. To address this, UPM’s Agri-Preneur program seeks to inspire more youth to explore agricultural startups.

The program has seen promising results, with a dedicated group of students showing genuine enthusiasm for agriculture.

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Q. Who are your partners in these diverse programs?

Furthermore, CEM partners with Indonesian universities and foundations to exchange knowledge on how to run entrepreneurship development education. We hosted the International Youth Conference in Malaysia, which featured knowledge-sharing sessions and competitions to promote international collaboration.

We also have successful alumni who return to CEM to share their knowledge and experiences with our students. They discuss how to become entrepreneurs and develop entrepreneurship skills during university, providing valuable motivation for our students.

All the activities I mentioned—including academics, extracurriculars, the shop, funding, and grants—require partnerships due to associated costs. To support these activities, we have established partnerships with banks and industry companies. For instance, Farm Fresh, a Malaysian milk production company, financially supports CEM’s entrepreneurial programs, while entrepreneur-focused companies and government entities provide grants and funds to assist students financially.

Additionally, CEM collaborates with Indonesian universities and foundations to exchange knowledge on entrepreneurship education. We hosted the International Youth Conference in Malaysia, which included knowledge-sharing sessions and competitions to foster international collaboration.

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CEM’s Role in the Malaysian Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

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Q. What is the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Malaysia like that you are taking part in? 

Currently, the Malaysian government is focused on empowering youth to become successful entrepreneurs by offering a variety of grants aimed at fostering entrepreneurship. These grants are specifically designed for early-stage startups, making it easier for aspiring business owners to secure financial support.

What sets entrepreneurs apart from conventional business people is their emphasis on innovation and social contribution. Unlike those who primarily seek business loans for profit-driven ventures, entrepreneurs who receive these grants are expected to incorporate innovative elements into their business models that benefit society.

For example, if an entrepreneur is selling healthy food products aimed at helping diabetic patients, this purpose-driven approach aligns with the kind of initiatives that the government seeks to support through its grant programs. The government is particularly interested in businesses that prioritize societal impact alongside their economic goals.

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Q. Other than the grants, what are the elements you are looking at in the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Malaysia?

The government of Malaysia also provides training for applicants of this grant. Thus, the government channels resources into this program to monitor and receive reports from them to ensure business continuity.

Additionally, there is also an international market targeted by the Malaysian startup ecosystem. Malaysian startups are also focusing on how they can offer their services and products internationally through digital marketing.

Lastly, there are policies that we need to look at because they are related to how to start a startup and how to ensure their longevity.

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Q. What’s CEM doing in the entire Malaysian agriculture startup ecosystem?

In Malaysia, agriculture is intimately connected with food security. To tackle this challenge and support the agriculture sector, UPM focuses on several key areas. One of these is developing agricultural talent and nurturing agri-preneurs.

CEM identifies students passionate about agricultural entrepreneurship and equips them with foundational knowledge and specialized training. We collaborate with industry partners to secure funding for these training programs. By integrating into the Malaysian ecosystem, we are cultivating the next generation of agri-preneurs through comprehensive, hands-on experience.

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Q. Could you give advice or tips for the early stage entrepreneurs in Malaysia?

For early-stage entrepreneurs in Malaysia, the actual process of launching a startup might seem straightforward, but cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset and focusing on sustainability can be more challenging.

A key aspect of the entrepreneurial mindset is recognizing how your business can contribute to society. View societal problems as opportunities for business innovation. When you adopt this mindset, profits often follow naturally.

We also emphasize social entrepreneurship, which involves generating profit while positively impacting society. Aligning your business with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria—such as environmental sustainability and gender equality—can help you achieve both financial success and societal benefit.

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Future of CEM: Living Lab and the goals 

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Q. What can be done more to make CEM even more improved?

As the director of CEM, I envision several ways to advance our entrepreneur development center. One key initiative is to establish a 'Living Lab,' where we collaborate with various industries to create a simulated business environment within the university. This setup would allow students to engage with real-world business scenarios, working on simulations provided by industry partners.

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Q. Could you elaborate on this Living Lab a bit more? 

I’ve researched various universities to learn about their Living Lab initiatives, and I’m convinced it offers a win-win scenario for both industries and academia. For companies, this means students become familiar with their business through simulated environments, which can make their transition into actual roles smoother and more effective.

To bring this vision to life, we’ll need investment from industry partners. However, I propose starting on a smaller scale, focusing on sustainability and gradual growth with a manageable budget. I’m actively advancing the Living Lab concept within CEM and believe it will significantly benefit both students and industry.

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Q. What is the short term plan and long term goal of CEM?

In the short term, CEM aims to cultivate more successful entrepreneurs. Looking ahead, we plan to develop a framework that nurtures an entrepreneurial mindset among not just students but also lecturers, ensuring a comprehensive approach to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

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Written by May Jang

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