TAR University College students with their grand win (from left to right): Soh Ren Kai and Ooi Jun Yuan. (Mah Weng Hong was not present when this photo was taken)

A team of three TAR University College students and two other students from another university emerged as the Top Team in the inaugural Youth Trailblazer Challenge organised by Pertubuhan Perintis Malaysia. The challenge aimed to train youths to become socially responsible entrepreneurs while bridging the gap between urban and rural youth. It was held from 20-22 November 2015 at a public university in Selangor. The students beat 52 other teams which had a combination of students from institutions of higher learning and practising entrepreneurs.

The winning students were Ooi Jun Yuan, Diploma in Business Studies (International Business) student, Soh Ren Kai Diploma in Business Studies (Finance and Investment) student and Mah Weng Hong studying Diploma in Science (Information Systems Engineering) student.

The 3-day event started with a workshop about the Inclusive Business Model, a business model used by entrepreneurs to benefit low-income communities. The trailblazer challenge was held on the third day where teams were required to develop an Inclusive Business Model which was then presented to a panel of judges.

When asked what was the reason for their participation, Jun Yuan said: “The three of us have a deep interest in entrepreneurship. I am grateful to TAR University College’s Young Entrepreneur Society for the many good exposure and knowledge in entrepreneurship which I find to be beneficial to us in this challenge”.

“The inclusive business model is a totally new concept for all of us although it has been practised by existing entrepreneurs. We paid full attention in the workshops and constantly had discussion to develop the best business plan,” Ren Kai elaborated on the team’s winning strategy.