SERDANG, 18 April (UPM) - University Putra Malaysia (UPM) has launched a training programme for the business executives and owners of small and medium scale entreprises (SME).
The programme to assist the SME to grow and thrive is held under UPM’s SME@University partnership with SME Corp. Malaysia and the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF). The programme to enhance creativity and innovation of the SME is patterned after the SME module of the University of Tokyo that offered various training programmes to the business executives and managers of Japan’s SME, said the Deputy Director of UPM’s University-Community Transformation Centre (UCTC), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Azhar Kassim at the launching ceremony.
Also present at the ceremony was the Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management, Prof. Dr. Mohd Shahwahid Othman, Senior Director of Business Development SME Corp. Malaysia, Fadzilah Ahmad Din. More than 20 owners of SME are attending the three-month programme which is conducted over the weekend where they would be coached and trained by UPM lecturers and invited industry players. These participants would in turn share their own experiences and draw on the expertise and research findings of the UPM lecturers and industry players, besides networking.
“I hoped this programme is able to expand its network and enhance the business skills and understanding between the SME owners and UPM staff.
"I also hope UPM can offer their expertise through collaboration with the SME Corp. to produce competitive entrepreneurs globally," he said.
The SME@University training programme is also held at four other public universities. UPM had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SME Corp Malaysia in 2011 which provided for, among other things, training for SME operators. -- UPM
