Ukm Ramadan Bazaar Offers Students Business Management Insights

PUTRAJAYA, March 20 (Bernama) -- The Universiti Kebangsaan (UKM) Ramadan Bazaar serves as a platform for students to gain insights into business management while also functioning as a student business incubator, said its vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Ekhwan Toriman.

In a statement today, Mohd Ekhwan said the bazaar offers student entrepreneurs an opportunity to engage in practical business activities and generate income during the month of Ramadan.

“The entire month of Ramadan provides ample space for these students to delve into various aspects of business operations, including marketing, finance, human resources, operational management and strategic planning.

Explaining on the set up of the bazaar,  he said it comprises 14 sites operated by student entrepreneurs, four sites managed by UKM alumni entrepreneurs and 26 sites run by community traders.

Mohd Ekhwan noted that this mix of traders enables student entrepreneurs to learn business techniques firsthand by observing seasoned community entrepreneurs who possess extensive experience in the business world.

"They don't just vie against each other, they also compete with local entrepreneurs. This aligns with UKM's mission to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset among its students," he said.

The UKM Ramadan Bazaar is an annual event organised by UKM's Entrepreneurship Development and EKS Centre (UKM-CESMED) in collaboration with UKM's Social Entrepreneurship Club, Cesmed Buddies and UKM's MyAgrosis.

Meanwhile, a Science and Technology Faculty student, Adam Danial Hairun Azma said the bazaar is a platform for student entrepreneurs to showcase their products and demonstrate their entrepreneurial abilities.

Operating under his own brand, Popis by Tiga Ketul, Adam Danial emphasised the importance of creativity in marketing one's products and fostering healthy competition.

"I sell popia pisang while my friend offers mushroom soup and 'cha ba ang' drinks, which we  prepared ourselves,” he said, noting that he collaborates with friends in running the business.

He said pooling resources with friends to operate a business in the bazaar doesn't require substantial capital as rental expenses can be shared among them.

-- BERNAMA